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O&M training and getting a guide dog (self.Blind)
submitted by kelpangler
I recently started O&M training to obviously learn how to navigate my world safely and to get sign off so I can start the guide dog application process. When I started a month ago I asked my instructor about this and she said it would take a long time to get there. I could hear what o thought was some doubt or caution in her voice. A few weeks later I asked her what steps I needed to take to get her approval. Again, she sounded unsure and I’d say evasive about the matter. She said the dog isn’t there to walk you around and that I would need to learn my skills. She said that’s what the schools would look for. I told her I understood that since I’ve done a good amount of research into this. I also talked with a coordinator at a local school to learn more. But she couldn’t really give me what types of things I would need to pass in order to get her sign off. It was just a general mention of them wanting see me using my cane properly. She even said that you needed to be legally blind. I paused mentally when she said that and thought to myself why in the world would I be taking O&M classes if I wasn’t legally blind? Like why would I go through the trouble of getting access rides, getting social security, and giving up my car if I wasn’t? I let her know that this particular guide dog school required signatures from both my primary care physician and my ophthalmologist which I had already taken care of. We ended the conversation by agreeing to meet next time and reviewing the application.
Why do you think she’s being so cryptic about this? I’m sure she gets a lot of students who want this but what’s her issue other than making sure I’m successful in navigating by myself? Am I not blind enough or something? Do O&M instructors weed out potential students?
Why do you think she’s being so cryptic about this? I’m sure she gets a lot of students who want this but what’s her issue other than making sure I’m successful in navigating by myself? Am I not blind enough or something? Do O&M instructors weed out potential students?
EyesR4Nerds 8 points 1y ago
Speaking from my own experiences of being a cane user for many years, and a guide dog handler for the last decade:
It isn’t necessarily like just checking off skills on a checklist, because a lot of this process is about you building experiences in different environments doing different types of travel. I don’t want to discourage you, but this experience usually takes more than just a month or two. Being in training with a first guide dog is very stressful, you really will need all the skills and confidence you develop with a cane.
Best of luck!
It isn’t necessarily like just checking off skills on a checklist, because a lot of this process is about you building experiences in different environments doing different types of travel. I don’t want to discourage you, but this experience usually takes more than just a month or two. Being in training with a first guide dog is very stressful, you really will need all the skills and confidence you develop with a cane.
Best of luck!
kelpangler [OP] 2 points 1y ago
I appreciate your thoughts. In your case, did you get O&M training when you lost your vision and then get tested years later when you decided to get a guide dog?
EyesR4Nerds 2 points 1y ago
Hey there!
I’m not exactly sure what you mean by tested? I’ve been blind since birth, and started training in grade school that continue through high school graduation, with some additional work with my instructor to learn my new college campus. I received my first guide the summer between high school and college, with support from my mobility instructor and medical professionals, who helped me feel confident in the skills and experiences I’d built
Hope this is helpful!
I’m not exactly sure what you mean by tested? I’ve been blind since birth, and started training in grade school that continue through high school graduation, with some additional work with my instructor to learn my new college campus. I received my first guide the summer between high school and college, with support from my mobility instructor and medical professionals, who helped me feel confident in the skills and experiences I’d built
Hope this is helpful!
kelpangler [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Oh got it. Well, the O&M instructor needs to sign a part of the application saying you are good with your cane skills. That’s just what meant by testing. If she doesn’t think I’m good then she wouldn’t sign it which totally makes sense. I think my issue was that she wasn’t giving me straight answers on how to accomplish this goal but maybe it was me misunderstanding. Thanks though.
KillerLag 4 points 1y ago
It isn't the O&M instructor's role to weed out potential guide dog students, it would be the school's job.
Generally speaking, the instructor should be trying to make sure you have sufficient skills to use the guide dog. Sometimes people are so fixated on a guide dog, they don't learn the skills they need because they expect the dog would be able to do it for them. For example, the guide dogs are trained to stop at intersections, but the handler has to give them the command for when to go forward. The dogs have some training for stopping a handler from walking into traffic, but that is mostly for emergencies.
Depending on the school, they usually want to see three things.... being able to go up/down stairs, crossing the street safely, and being able to walk a route.
Generally speaking, the instructor should be trying to make sure you have sufficient skills to use the guide dog. Sometimes people are so fixated on a guide dog, they don't learn the skills they need because they expect the dog would be able to do it for them. For example, the guide dogs are trained to stop at intersections, but the handler has to give them the command for when to go forward. The dogs have some training for stopping a handler from walking into traffic, but that is mostly for emergencies.
Depending on the school, they usually want to see three things.... being able to go up/down stairs, crossing the street safely, and being able to walk a route.
kelpangler [OP] 1 points 1y ago
What I’d love to hear from the instructor is, “Oh that’s your goal? Let’s have a plan to get you there.” Like on day 1 give me 3 things to focus on and then tell me to practice that for 2 weeks. Then the next time we meet she either sees progress or doesn’t and we make decisions from there. Rinse and repeat. I’m ok with it taking time but I just want to know what the lesson plan is.
KillerLag 1 points 1y ago
Have you talked to your instructor about that? You guys should have a goal to work towards. Some earlier lessons can jump around a bit as you work on different aspects of goals (for example, you might go to different intersections to work on aspects of crossings like using an audible pedestrian signal, or advance green lights).
Are the three things to focus on and practice things that you would use eventually? I teach someone how to use the emergency stairs in their apartment building so they know how to use stairs and it's the easiest place for them to practice. While it may not be something they use on a regular basis, the basics of stair travel does carry over to other aspects.
Are the three things to focus on and practice things that you would use eventually? I teach someone how to use the emergency stairs in their apartment building so they know how to use stairs and it's the easiest place for them to practice. While it may not be something they use on a regular basis, the basics of stair travel does carry over to other aspects.
kelpangler [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Yes! As I was writing my reply I was thinking of that same thing. I will ask her about that for sure. As for the things we focus on, I’m open to whatever is appropriate to learn. I get what you’re saying with the stairs example. Thanks!
AllHarlowsEve 3 points 1y ago
It's almost definitely because you've only been in training for a month. She probably wants to see you be fully safe and capable with a cane before even considering having you apply. Guide dogs are still dogs and can get sick, have blah days, or otherwise not be on their A game with their job. If your dog decides they won't work, then you need to have the skill to get yourself home safely.
It could also theoretically be if you have a very sedentary lifestyle, because a dog should ideally be worked an hour a day to keep up their training. If you don't go out much and would be essentially getting a very expensive pet, I could see her not wanting to say that but still thinking it.
It could also theoretically be if you have a very sedentary lifestyle, because a dog should ideally be worked an hour a day to keep up their training. If you don't go out much and would be essentially getting a very expensive pet, I could see her not wanting to say that but still thinking it.
kelpangler [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Fair enough. I have 15 hours worth of training and we spend about 2 hours per session. I mean personally I feel pretty confident in my skills and I’m very task-orientated to get things done, but I can see that maybe she thinks I’m jumping the gun.
As for health, I’ve had some balance issues along with the vision loss but otherwise I’m healthy. I just did my first triathlon over the summer and I was an avid skier and camper.
As for health, I’ve had some balance issues along with the vision loss but otherwise I’m healthy. I just did my first triathlon over the summer and I was an avid skier and camper.
Mamamagpie 3 points 1y ago
How old are you? I know some guide dog training orgs have an age limit.
kelpangler [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Am I too old? Haha. I’m in my mid-40s.
Mamamagpie 2 points 1y ago
Doubt it. I know that some don’t thing the under 16s are suitable to handle guide dogs.
BenandGracie 1 points 1y ago
Speaking from personal experience, you probably aren't ready for a dog yet. I got my dog when I was 17, and I have been using a cane my whole life. Getting a dog is worth it, but you need some experience first. Using a dog requires all the skills you learn while using a cane, and you will learn some new ones regarding problem solving along the way. Give it a little longer and if you feel you are ready apply.
Pinknose27 1 points 1y ago
There are some that believe in only the cane. Some that believe in the guide dog. She could be in the cane group.
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