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Does anybody know what GDB’s rules about retiring guides are? (self.Blind)
submitted by MARCVS-PORCIVS-CATO
I absolutely adore my guide. He’s the goodest boy and I wouldn’t trade him for anything.
At the same time, though, I’ve come to realize that I miss using my cane. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I just prefer using my cane. Walking with it just feels better.
I don’t have a very good memory, but the two rules about retiring GDB guides is that they will open up the conversation of retirement around when the guide turns nine, and that if a guide is retired before working with a client for three years, they’ll take the dog back and train someone else with them. Maybe it’s selfish, but I really don’t want that to happen.
I’ve tried checking their website, but I haven’t been able to find much about retirement. Does anyone here know anything about that? What is the age threshold for retiring for a non-medical reason? What is the minimum length of service before the dog could stay with me when he retires?
At the same time, though, I’ve come to realize that I miss using my cane. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I just prefer using my cane. Walking with it just feels better.
I don’t have a very good memory, but the two rules about retiring GDB guides is that they will open up the conversation of retirement around when the guide turns nine, and that if a guide is retired before working with a client for three years, they’ll take the dog back and train someone else with them. Maybe it’s selfish, but I really don’t want that to happen.
I’ve tried checking their website, but I haven’t been able to find much about retirement. Does anyone here know anything about that? What is the age threshold for retiring for a non-medical reason? What is the minimum length of service before the dog could stay with me when he retires?
charliesdesk 3 points 2y ago
It takes a ton of training to prepare a dog to be ready, I am not saying you should or shouldn’t keep it, but if the dog could go on to work with someone who doesn’t have as good cane skills as you more people might have access to safe and independent travel
bondolo 2 points 2y ago
If the dog is older than five then it is highly unlikely that they would be reissued to another client. Also, COVID has meant that they have more dogs in the training pipeline than they normally have waiting for clients. This makes it less likely they would consider reissue.
Talk to the client support line or to your followup instructor. There's no harm in talking to them when you consider your options. In some ways they would prefer that the dog is either officially active or officially retired rather than unofficially retired and not actually active. That is why they always ask during follow up how often you are using the dog and how often you use a cane instead. Both you and the dog are going to rusty and potentially eventually unsafe if you don't keep working.
Talk to the client support line or to your followup instructor. There's no harm in talking to them when you consider your options. In some ways they would prefer that the dog is either officially active or officially retired rather than unofficially retired and not actually active. That is why they always ask during follow up how often you are using the dog and how often you use a cane instead. Both you and the dog are going to rusty and potentially eventually unsafe if you don't keep working.
MARCVS-PORCIVS-CATO [OP] 1 points 2y ago
He isn’t five yet, unfortunately, he just turned three at the end of January. That’s good to know, though, I’ll make sure to remember that. And, that’s really interesting,it makes sense, but I hadn’t realized that there was a guide surplus. I actually haven’t been contacted about a follow up, surprisingly, even though it’s been over a year. But, whenever it does happen, I’ll bring it up then. I’m a little irrationally nervous, but based on what you said, it’ll probably turn out alright. I haven’t stopped using my guide, he’s still my primary travel aid, so he is still active. The rare occasion when I use my cane for one reason or another just always remind me of what it had been like.
Ant5477 1 points 2y ago
I did a show on this particular topic, if you like check this out https://youtu.be/DAAokM-85Fk
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