Each day I work with Hobbs, I become increasingly more confident and relaxed. The tension in my neck is lessening, and I am finding my outlook more positive and optimistic. Oh, the wonders of working with a guide dog!
I realize that not everyone reading this may be interested in obtaining a guide dog, or even need one, for that matter. That said, I hope that these posts about my experiences as a dog handler help you to understand the blessing a guide dog can be for those of us who choose to work with one. The posts I’m making from the San Rafael, California campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind are often at the end of my day, and are consequently often less elegantly worded than my column at The Blind Post. Still, I hope there is something of interest for you here. If all this guide dog talk is driving you batty, then skip all the postings that begin with Guide Dog Chronicles.
I still haven’t gotten an answer on whether I’ll be able to record audio from one of my routes tomorrow. If everything goes well, you’ll be able to hear me working with Hobbs by tomorrow night. Just remember, it’s been several months since I’ve last worked with a guide dog, and I’m working on fixing some bad habits. GDB has also adjusted some of their approach to guide dog training, and a lot of that is new for me. What you hear tomorrow will not be reflective of a solid guide dog team. It will be audio of a student on a route with his guide dog, occasionally getting feedback from a guide dog instructor.
I am glad that you feel great working with a guide dog. I have had two dogs from Guide Dogs for the Blind, and they have both wonderful. My first dog “Lyman” lived for twelve years before I had to have him put to sleep. My second dog “Jake” was retired in the fall of 2008, and he is living with my wife Wendy and myself.