Kia and I made the front page of our local paper. See the link here in the title.
Next post will be "D" day...the day Kia came into my life!!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Day 2 at Seeing Eye
July 19th Sunday
Wake up time: 7 a.m. (We should not get used to this late time...haha)
Breakfast 8 a.m.
8:45 meet in lobby to take a van into Morristown centerfor a
JUNO walk (Instructor pulls and empty harness)
NO dog YET...THIS IS KILLING ME...HAHA
Return to center for a firedrill. (Just like on a cruise...lol)
Lecture/meeting
1 p.m. LUNCH (I have not done this much activity before lunch in a long time)
2 p.m. DOGS! Don't get excited, not OUR dogs. Several dogs are brought over from the kennels for us to learn how to handle them. We got to see the different personalities and temperment of the different breeds.
. We then were brought a huge wooden lab to help train us on how to put on a harness. We would not want to be clumsy when we get a real live dog on this process!
. Learned where we are going to be taking our dogs out to "PARK" (Go potty) and how to do that. It was a bog courtyard with a cement like surface and you get your dog to circle you and stay in one small area...this way, you will hopefully know where it went and to clean up. More on this later. So for now, "PARK means taking the dog out to go....
. We were informed that the next day we will have a 6 a.m wake up.....We are in boot camp now folks!!
A lot of work so far and no dog until tomorrow!! I'm POOPED!!
Wake up time: 7 a.m. (We should not get used to this late time...haha)
Breakfast 8 a.m.
8:45 meet in lobby to take a van into Morristown centerfor a
JUNO walk (Instructor pulls and empty harness)
NO dog YET...THIS IS KILLING ME...HAHA
Return to center for a firedrill. (Just like on a cruise...lol)
Lecture/meeting
1 p.m. LUNCH (I have not done this much activity before lunch in a long time)
2 p.m. DOGS! Don't get excited, not OUR dogs. Several dogs are brought over from the kennels for us to learn how to handle them. We got to see the different personalities and temperment of the different breeds.
. We then were brought a huge wooden lab to help train us on how to put on a harness. We would not want to be clumsy when we get a real live dog on this process!
. Learned where we are going to be taking our dogs out to "PARK" (Go potty) and how to do that. It was a bog courtyard with a cement like surface and you get your dog to circle you and stay in one small area...this way, you will hopefully know where it went and to clean up. More on this later. So for now, "PARK means taking the dog out to go....
. We were informed that the next day we will have a 6 a.m wake up.....We are in boot camp now folks!!
A lot of work so far and no dog until tomorrow!! I'm POOPED!!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 1 at Seeing Eye
July 18, Saturday
Chris and Karissa from Stony Point drove myself and Gary (Hubby) from Stony Point, NY to Morristown, NJ to the Seeing Eye. We arrived just after 11 am. and were greeted by Erin, one of my instructiors. Today was Erin's birthday!! This also was Erin's 1st class. She has been in many other capacities at the Seeing Eye and seems to really be enjoying this part.
After doing a little unpacking, Erin came to introduce herself and give a few notes on what we will be doing the rest of the day.
Lunch was first on the agenda...which is wonderful! The kitchen staff is so helpful and after getting to know what you like...continued to bring your beverage of choice to meals.
More unpacking after lunch and went on a JUNO walk with Erin. At this point they know whaich dog they have in mind, but are still evaluationg your personality and strengths. The JUNO walk is with the trainer pulling/guiding you with a empty harness. They can tell how fast or slow you like to walk and how much "pull" you can take with the dog.
Dinner next...Yum,,,,
7 p.m. meeting in the "Common Lounge" and we received a leash, a tie down, a comb and brush for grooming. We learned more about the facility and what to expect. After the meeting I got a tour of the computer/tech lab. No tech people will be available til Monday....so I can ask questions then. It seems that the PC's are all set up with talking software, which I do not use.
Very exciting day and I was exhausted by the end. I also found out the there are 4-5 students per instructor. Erin has 4 of us: Stacy,Arthur, Seth and me! Thesecond instructor is Shawn, who is a "Shadow Trainer", as this is Erin's first class. So we got 2 instructors for the price of 1!!!
Chris and Karissa from Stony Point drove myself and Gary (Hubby) from Stony Point, NY to Morristown, NJ to the Seeing Eye. We arrived just after 11 am. and were greeted by Erin, one of my instructiors. Today was Erin's birthday!! This also was Erin's 1st class. She has been in many other capacities at the Seeing Eye and seems to really be enjoying this part.
After doing a little unpacking, Erin came to introduce herself and give a few notes on what we will be doing the rest of the day.
Lunch was first on the agenda...which is wonderful! The kitchen staff is so helpful and after getting to know what you like...continued to bring your beverage of choice to meals.
More unpacking after lunch and went on a JUNO walk with Erin. At this point they know whaich dog they have in mind, but are still evaluationg your personality and strengths. The JUNO walk is with the trainer pulling/guiding you with a empty harness. They can tell how fast or slow you like to walk and how much "pull" you can take with the dog.
Dinner next...Yum,,,,
7 p.m. meeting in the "Common Lounge" and we received a leash, a tie down, a comb and brush for grooming. We learned more about the facility and what to expect. After the meeting I got a tour of the computer/tech lab. No tech people will be available til Monday....so I can ask questions then. It seems that the PC's are all set up with talking software, which I do not use.
Very exciting day and I was exhausted by the end. I also found out the there are 4-5 students per instructor. Erin has 4 of us: Stacy,Arthur, Seth and me! Thesecond instructor is Shawn, who is a "Shadow Trainer", as this is Erin's first class. So we got 2 instructors for the price of 1!!!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Photo of KIA and Me!
Hey eveyone, you deserve at least a photo of me and my new guide...you all have been so patient with me! So, here is the photo....more details to follow....even the story of one of the dogs that tried to eat a guys underwear....hahahahaha
This photo was taken by one of my trainers. It is "On the Green" in Morristown, NJ. THe statue is of the first fuide dog at Seeing Eye "Buddy" and his owner Frank Morris.
This photo was taken by one of my trainers. It is "On the Green" in Morristown, NJ. THe statue is of the first fuide dog at Seeing Eye "Buddy" and his owner Frank Morris.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sorry.....
Hey all,
Sorry I have not kept you up to date on guide dog school....I did not get access to a PC while at the Seeing Eye.
But I am home now and will recount for you how it all went. I just need a couple of days to re-coup.
My dog's name is KIA and she is a black lab and 48 lbs. She is amazing!!!
It is great to be home and keeping a normal person's schedule...phew...it was like doggie boot camp.....haha
Stay tuned...
Sorry I have not kept you up to date on guide dog school....I did not get access to a PC while at the Seeing Eye.
But I am home now and will recount for you how it all went. I just need a couple of days to re-coup.
My dog's name is KIA and she is a black lab and 48 lbs. She is amazing!!!
It is great to be home and keeping a normal person's schedule...phew...it was like doggie boot camp.....haha
Stay tuned...
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