NOAH AOC

Has anyone else ever thought of getting a guide dog? i know this might sound crazy as we pretty much all have functional vision, but I'm just wondering.

As I'm getting older I'm finding it more and more difficult to watch for all the things I need to navigate safely outdoors, stuff like cars turning, obstructions in the sidewalk, people, ice etc. etc. I sometimes think it would be such a relief to be able to depend on someone else and be able to not have to work so hard to navigate and be safe outside. Sometimes it takes so much that I come home exhausted.

Just wondering what others thought.

Julie,

The key is that you are getting older and most likely starting to notice the vision changes that are happening to your vision as get older now.

What changes in your vision are you noticing?

Have you ever thought about starting to use a cane?

Because one of the qualifying factors that most if not all the guide dog schools look at in a person qualifying for a guide is that they need to have great cane skills. Because there will be times where your guide dog might get sick and you won’t want to take the dog with you. I talking about the regular cane that you would a totally blind person using and not the Identification cane that you may carry around with you not to identify that you are visually impaired.

The difference between the two canes is that the identification is thinner then the traditional white cane which the tradition white cane is the one that the guide dog schools want you to be able to use. I personally own both types of canes. I’ve own the traditional white cane for over ten years now. I’ve had a couple different one. I’ve also owned one or two of the identification cane as well.

I can suggest that you sign your post so that people can address you by name when their replying to your posts.

Feel free to email off the AOC if you want to continue talking about this topic. My email address is in ny signature. 

I have a guide and I love her I don't know what I would do without Cactus she has definetly been a blessing in my life.  We have been teamed up for two years, it is so much better than a cane.  I have severe light sensitivty problems because of albinism and an accident i was in three years ago. 

I also have a guide dog. I received Macy 4 months ago from Guide Dogs for the Blind in San Rafale, CA. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. If you'd like to talk more about dogs or anything else, feel free to email be at BlackShepherd415@yahoo.com 

Thanks so much for your input everybody.

I actually have just gotten back from Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Michigan. Her name is Zoe and she is a Golden Retriever

I've had her for 5 weeks and she's already made a HUGE difference in my life. It's one of those things I wish I had done sooner. What a boost in confidence it has given me, way more than with cane travel. I've noticed I'm walking with my shoulders back and head high even when the sun is so bright out I really can't see because I am learning that she truly will keep me safe.

One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life.

I'm so happy to read this post and all of it's replies.  I actually thought I was the only person in the world with albinism who had a guide dog.  I have a large black labradoodle from Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, CA.

He is my third dog.  My first was a yellow lab in 1992, retired in 1996 due to health problems.  My second was a black lab named Sprite that I had for 9 years, and retiired her at age 11.  Cohen is four and I've had him for two years.  I got him in 2006.

People ask me why I use a guide dog, being able to see.  I have very poor depth perception and fall easily.  I also have severe light sensativity and there isn't a dark enough pair of glasses on the planet for me.

Anyway, I feel much better now.

Julie