Guide Dog Saga Pt. 1
I think this one is going to be a fun one… *G*
Last November my mother and I met with Emily, the renal social worker for our dialysis unit. She went over a few things that could help Mom and I fiscally and emotionally. One of the things she asked about was the possibility of a seeing-eye dog for me and how it might give me a little bit more independence.
I loved the idea, since I can’t really go out without someone with me. I even stopped walking around my neighborhood last spring, when I almost got hit by a car because I didn’t see it until it was almost right on top of me. I doubt the driver knew that I didn’t see them, and expected me to just get out of the way. I did, but only at the last second.
Emily called the CNIB in Nova Scotia, as they are who distributes the dogs and they told her that I needed what they called, “aggressive cane training” before I could be paired with a dog. That was fine with me, since, even though I do have a cane, I was only given about five minutes of training with it when I was seventeen. I never use it, mostly because I don’t really know how.
So, I got a call back from the trainer that’s here on the Island, and he can start training me on Tuesday. I’m so excited, and a bit nervous. I’m hoping this guy isn’t too drill sargenty, cuz I don’t think I’ll get along well with him, plus I’m always nervous when meeting new people on my own. As nervous as I am, I really can’t wait to begin. The cane training alone will give me more independence than I’ve had in a long time.
I’ll let you know how this goes
