Andrew's Guide Dog Story

Hey all, The subject says it all. We are done. This was a marvelous last day of training. Asher and I did really well. I feel more than ready to go home. Of course, there are some nerves, but I know deep down we are ready.

This morning, we went to FDU (a college campus) again. We worked on patterning some more. This joker has a marvelous memory. He patterns so easy.

After lunch, we went to the pet store and I bought him 70 dollars worth of toys. However, this store gives like 50% off to people with Dog Guides so yeh, it was cheap. After that, we went to the ice cream shop. The entire class ended up being there, which was cool. By the way, the entire class at this point consists of 8 people.

I got to use audible crossings on the way which was really really cool.

After dinner, which was pizza served in the Common Lounge due to the fact the air in the dining room is being worked on, Lee came and helped me pack. She was really nice tonight and so helpful.

Well guys, I have had a lot of fun here. It has been the best adventure I have ever had in my life. I got the dog of my dreams, my partner, my friend. He looks to me for everything--guidance, love, safety, direction. His love never fails. He aims to please.

Chris Mitoon, Asher's trainer, came by this afternoon. He was telling me how he had Asher for two strings (for you all who do not know, a string last 5 months). He said Asher was really special to him. He said that Ash has always bee a bundle of energy, but he has always aimed to please. He said that he asked to have Asher back in his second string, because he knew that some people would question his guide work, but with some encouragement he really was an awesome guide. He told me how one of Asher's greatest things was that he could remember so easily where things are you go to. You can park in one place one week, come back to that place a week later, have no car parked there, and he will still try to stop there to go to the "car". Chris told me that Asher was never a fan of the Kennels, he was a loner somewhat. He said he was the type to go lay in a corner, chew on a bone, and be happy. That is my baby, My ashman, who will always be the love of my life.
I have only had him for 3 and a half weeks, but we have a bond stronger than almost any I have ever felt. I trust him with my life. I trust him to find steps, I trust him to stop for that car. He is my eyes, my friend. No one who has not had a dog like this can understand the bond. He is the best thing I have ever experienced.

We are off tomorrow morning on a journey together for as long as God lets continue. We will succeed, and be the best that we can be.

I will see you guys back in Alabama. Thank you for spending a month with me and Asher and remember, the journey is only beginning.

Andrew and Friend Asher

Hey all, today was a relatively good day. In the morning, the only person left in my group of four besides me went home. So, now I get one on one training.

This morning, we went to the bank and worked roped-off lines. Then we went back to Right Aid and got me a drink. A relatively short trip but it was cool.

After lunch, John's and Shannon's group, me and two girls, went to the mall. It was relatively uneventful, just walked around the mall, Macy's, Pennies, and Sears.

Last night I began to pack. Time is slipping away fastly. I couldn't be more ready though. Asher and I couldn't be more ready for the adventures we are about to embark on.

Also, in the morning I had my exit interview. That went really well. I told Pete Lang that I loved my dog, He was the perfect match, on a scale of 1-10 I would rate my confidence with the dog as a 10. I had no complaints, other than the fact of the instructor going home the first week when the others stayed. Nothing against John, they just don't have enough rooms for all the instructors.

In the afternoon at 3:15, I had my vet lecture. Asher has never had much of any health problems while at The Eye. He had some rawness on a paw but that was due to the moist environment in the kennals, he has never had ear infections until the current one in class, he does have extra eyelashes but nothing harmful, and he is currently being treated for the exposure to chemicals on his right back foot, as I noted before. My little man is very healthy and ready for a long working life.

Tomorrow we are going to the college again in the morning and to the pet store tomorrow afternoon. I am so exfcited. John has been the best trainer, being so helpful, very imformative, and just so patient with all my questions.

Tomorrow is our last day at The Eye as I said before, but I will continue to update for a few more days to let you know how the transition to home goes.

Thanks for reading,

Andrew and the Ashman

Hey all, today we were back at training. This morning after breakfast, we went and did bus and train work. He fdid awesomely, it was so easy. He worked the stairs of the train well, worked off and on the buss phenomenaly, and did platform refusal terrificly (ignored the forward command and went left or right when we were close to the edge of the train platform). We rode the train for two stops, got off, walked a block to the bus, and rode it back to the first station. It was lots of fun and a cool experience.

After lunch, which by the way sucked, my group and Shannon's group went to Walmart together. It was an ok trip, didn't buy anything, just walked around and stuff.

After dinner, we had our going home lecture. That just talked about how to handle the morning before you leave, flying with a dog, how to comfort them in flight, how to get them adjusted to their new environment, etc. The most powerful statement of the evening is this: Your dog is leaving everything it has ever known behind except for you.

That just seems sad to me but cool, we are going on the biggest solo of our lives, beginning at 9:25 AM Thursday morning.

I am pumped beyond belief. Asher is the love of my life, my eyes, my partner, my companion. He looks to me for everything, and I look to him for so much as well. He is my eyes, he is one amazing fellow.

Well, until tomorrow.

Andrew and my Amazing Asher

Hey all, as the subject says, today was rather boring. We had the day off so I did next to nothing.

This morning, the vet did come and look at his paw. It is a burn and they are treating it with a solution twice a day. Also, she did say something is going on in his ears infection wise so he is going back to the vet tomorrow to see about that.

We just sat around, slept, watched some movies in the common lounge, and relaxed until about 3 when we fed and got reay to go out to eat.

For those of you who do not know, The Seeing Eye takes all first time students out to eat on the last Sunday night of class to a really nice restaurant named Brentwoods. They -pay for it all and you can eat as much or as little as you want. I ate a freaking 18 ounce steak, fries, and dessert and impressed them all. Brian, a really cool young instructor, was in awe.

After that, we came back around 8:30, watered and parked our dogs, and I am going to bed around 9:30.

Anyways, tomorrow will definitely be more eventfull! Peace out.

Andrew and Asher

Hey all, Today was rather slow. This morning after breakfast, we did some more country work. Once again, Asher did awesomely. John commented on how my dog is great at country work. Then, he added, he don't seem to have a problem doing anything. He said I am lucky, my dog has an awesome memory, patterns easily, isn't distracted by food. He is an awesome dog, who loves to work.

John only works half a day on Saturday, so we had the rest of the day off. I did laundry, slepta good bt, just relaxed.

One thing to note, On friday afternoon, there was a slight mishap/problem with parktime. They clean the park area with an amonia mixture to remove stains. Well, this material is toxic to both humans and dogs. Next to the park area, there is a storage container with bottles of this liquid in it. One of them sprung a leak, and no one knew. They tried to get us away from it when they realized it, however one dog licked it and got pretty bad burns in his mouth and apparently Asher stepped in it. His foot is just irritated and they are doctoring it. Also, he apparently still has the ear infection so back to the vet tomorrow.

Other than that, we are doing awesomely. Everyone on the TSE staff is awesome and very nice. John packaged up all my extra equipment dog food, and TSE merchandise and shipped it home for me. We don't have long to go until we head for the house!

Tomorrow, we go to a very nice restaurant to eat. A little fantcy for my taste but I am excited about eating out. The food here, in my oppinion, is sketchy.

Well, tomorrow is also an off day for John so I will get some needed relaxation.

Well, see you guys tomorrow!

Andrew and Asher

Hey all, today we went off to the big city! NYC is awesome. I loved it. So many people, so fast paced.

I must say here however, everyone goes on and on about how amazing there dog was in the city. Well, Asher worked awesomely, however I was not amazed, I expected it. I never had any doubt he would be different than In Morristown. My little man is awesome everywhere he goes.

They parked at the Port Authority building and we caught the subway upto 59th street. Let me say here, these dogs no to get on and off the subways so quickly. The second it pulled in and i said forward, he found an open door and dove in. When we got to the stop, we did some refusalwork. John put us like 2 feet away from the platform edge and I told him forward. He dove left or right and wouldn't let me anywhere close to the edge.

In the city, he was so excited at first. Even to the point he did run me into a few people at first. However, I got him settled quick and he worked like a charm. We went down to 42nd street and they dropped the first group, which was me, off at Aplebees. We had drinks and appetizers there while they were walking with the second group. When they all got there, we ate lunch. It was John Bertrum's group, Shannon Chicareli's group, and John Keane's (my group) group. After that, we went back to the port authority and went home. By this time, it was 3 and we got back to The Eye around 4.

In the restaurant, the waiter asked if our dogs bit. H ecould not understand why us 4 college age kids were in NYC by ourselves. Finally when the instructors got back I think he caught on.

I had an awesome trip and loved every minute of it. Ashman is the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Well, until tomorrow...

Andrew and Asher

Hey all, This morning was sad. All the retrains left. I will miss Matt, May, Mark, and others. They were an awesome group of people and I really enjoied living with them for 3 weeks

After breakfast, I went back to sleep because I was exhausted. I had gotten up early to see the retrains before they left. John told me it would be about 40 minutes before he came to get me so I thought it would be a short knap. However, it ended up being almost 2 hours so I slept a good long while.

Let me digress here, a funny thing happened whenI was hanging out with the retrains before they left this morning. 3 of the instructors thought I was a retrain going home. I had to say no, but believe me, I wish I was. I am very confident and comfortable with my dog and would work him through any city today.

When we finally did go out, John made me solo some very vague instructions and find my way to Century 21. The directions went something like this: Turn right on the sidewalk, cross the road, turn right go some blocks until you get to a busy road that is a t-intersection, turn right and go some more blocks until you get to century 21. I will meet you inside.
We did amazingly! I never got lost, John was nowhere close to me, although I know he was watching somewhere. And, I know you all are wondering, since the dog had received praise for finding the door of century 21 before, when we got to that area, guess where he went? You got it!

Anyways, in the afternoon we went to a college campus. Not drew, some other local college, where John graduated from. We did Opatterning, that is where you teach the dog routes. When he gets to a point, he stops, insenuates the direction he thinks I want to go in, and I tell him either right, left, hup-up, or something to the sort. They learn the pattern by repetition, John walks me through the route doing sighted guide or either I use my cane to do it by myself or I just know the route, and I make him sit at turns, steps, doors, etc. I praise him there, and bingo, he wants to come back there and get more! If it is a hard hard route, I give him treats to make him come back.

We don't have anymore night lectures until Monday night, which is our going home lecture. We did have to start going downstairs this afternoon and getting out our own dog's food. It is easy to do though.

Well, tomorrow we are off to the big citty--New York City. See youguys then!

Andrew and Asher

Hello all, today was the last day with the retrains. That was so very sad.


This morning, we went to the courthouse. That was a lot of fun. We had to go through security and Asher did great. I made him rest, I went through, and then made him come. It was awesome. We then just walked the halls, working stairs, doors, just everything a courthouse has to offer.
After lunch, me, May, and "weird chick", as i like to call her, went to the mall. We all sat at a table and then he worked us one at a time. Ash man did awesome! He only got distracted once and that was by icecream on the ground.

Tonight, we had a going home party for the retrains. I didn't stay long, I needed to groom as well as I was tired of everyone.

Well, tomorrow mornoing will be a sad good ye. However, it means I am ever so closer to going home.

See you guys later!

Andrew and Asher

Hey all, Today was a pretty cool day. In the morning, we went to Morris Township and dida lot of country work. He did great, stayed left even through the mud puddles. The roads were really busy so we wore a reflective vest to be assured they saw us. In the afternoon, we went back to Century 21 to do elevator and more escalator work. These dogs so amaze me, he went right to the door. Afterwards, we went back to Right Aid to get a drink and he went to the door and we found the drinks on our own. From the checkout counter, we made it back to the van by ourselves. I was so proud of him.

Tonight, we talked about if your dog was attacked. It was kind of a scary topic but it happens very rarely. Something I don't want to think or talk about unless it happens.

Tonight, I did night work with Shannon Manahan. That was awesome. We walked for miles, or ran some would say. I loved it. You cannot tell a difference between night and day in his work.

Anyways, tired and off to bed.

Andrew and Asher

Hey all, time is really passing quickly. Today, in the morning we went to Right Aid and worked some aisles and used follow. Also, we went to Century 21 and did escalators. He did wonderfully! The escalators made me nervous but they were a piece of cake.

After lunch, we went to the park to work on distractions some more. He did great except for taking me to every bench in the place.

I met Chris M., Asher's trainer, while sitting in the van waiting on the others to come back. He was so nice and so cool. Asher was one of his favorite dogs, and he said he was going to look me up before i go home so wecan talk more about him.

Last night, the retrains had their going home lecture. So, we had the night off which was nice. I just groomed him and sat around. Things are beginning to slow down.

Well, tomorrow will hopefully bring some new adventures!

See you then!

Andrew and Asher

Hello all, today was a dead day. Me and, ok here comes the name, Asher had the day off. We slept entirely to much. We slept from breakfast until lunch, excluding time to park and walk on the leisure path. After lunch we slet for two more hours. Again we walked on the leisure path until time to feed and park.

Last night after dinner we had a massage class for hour dogs. That was pretty fun. It seemed to calm Asher down a lot. I then groome him and then ate some very tasty wings we ordered in from this cooly named place called Cluck It. You guys have probably heard of it before, but we don't hav them in Alabama.

Anyways, today is back to work. It is going to be a warm one. Sorry for the short entry!

Hope you guys like the name.

Andrew and Asher

Hello, the subject says it all. Today was definitely a better day.

In the morning, we began what the Seeing Eye calls country work. The name doesn't fit, but more or less, it is roads without sidewalks.

Mr. A did awesomely. He stayed to his left and did great. When a little dog got after him and was growling, he just kept going and actually speeded up away from it. Go him! I was so excited for the change. I am trying to be patient because I know John has his hands full. When the retrains leave, things will be much much better.

At lunch, we got to go through a line to experience carrying a tray with a dog. This was really easy.

We had the afternoon off and i pretty much slept and didlaundry.

We had a bbq outside last night and it was really good. We had bbq pork chops and a bbq potato. MMM good!

I brushed his teeth and groomed him after dinner as well as took a walk with some others on theeisure path. It was a nice relaxing day.

Tomorrow, we have the day off as well so that will be nice. I will actually get to sleep until 6:30! Woohoo!

See you guys later!

Andrew

Hey all,

Today was relatively uneventful.

We were suppose to begin freelance work today, however we still worked in the city. This is so boring to me. I am very frustrated with it all. Everyone else is doing country work, store work, etc. For the reasoning of why I believe we are still doing city work, one girl in my group is 16, not good at using her dog, and I personally believe he believes she could not handle it. If things don't change soon, I will go crazy.

We did this both morning and afternoon, and had the odds-and-ins lecture tonight--they told us we could start taking our dog off leash, leaving them for short amounts of time, and giving them water. This ought to be fun!

After another some sort of trip this morning, we hjave this afternoon and tomorrow off. This will be great, as I am at my wits end with this monotonous city work.

Well, off to bed.

Andrew

Good evening, Today we sort of did the high school route!

In the morning, we actually did the entire route. t was nothing like anyone told me. It was so easy! Mr. A. did amazingly!

The hill, that everyone made out to be a mountain, was not as steep as my back yard. I said that to John the instructor, and pretty soon the entire class new about it and was laughing at my antics. But, I definitely don't mind laughing at myself! It makes life fun!

Anyways, In the afternoon, we really did not do the route. There were so many people backing up on it, John decided since I did not have to solo it we would create our own route. We went down through the green, a huge park in the city. We walked on very very narrow sidewalks next to buildings, had distractions by little kids, saw the statue of Morris Frankand his dog Buddy, and even did crossings with islands. I loved it tons!

In the morning, we start freelance. It will be off to Century 21 I believe to do escalators.

Anyways, just finished grooming the big A man. Now I am on the phone with some friends and then off to bed.

Until tomorrow,

Andrew

At long last, here is a picture. That is, if it works. Let me know!!!

Hello all, Let me tell you, as Shanon, one of the instructors said a few days ago, it always rains on the Elm Street solo day. Well, that tradition stood today. It poured!!!!

The solo went pretty dang well. He ran me into two pedestrians, both seeing eye students. John said that these dogs sometimes get it in their heads that if they nudge someone, they will/should move out of their way. ell, of course these blind students didn't! He got corrected for that.

The other excitement of the route was that I busted my butt! It wasn't a's fought, and I jumped right back up and went on, John didn't even come over, I just tripped over a crack. John afterwards said he thought it was caused by the rainpants.

I had to have no help though with the route so that was awesome!

This afternoon, we did some freelance work. We went into town and went to Right Aid, the drugstore. He worked very well, was very cautious, and was overall an awesome guide!

After dinner, he saw the resident cat, a dog they have inhouse, and John all at once. He got way out of cntrol and overly excited. He got ton s of corrections and got calmed down, but was just way distracted. I finally heeled him upstairs to just get him out of their.

He has been doing great though. I love him to death!

Tonight, we got our new harnesses and putthem together as well. Before someone comments and say that is not the way it normally works, I know that. They had to do it all the same night for us because of the holidays. We oiled them for the first time tonight and will do it again in the morning and tomorrow night. Hopefully, we will begin using them Friday morning.

Tomorrow night is the vet lecture. I guess in the morning we are doing the high school route, but who knows. Well, until next time.

Andrew

Hey all, today was a great day here at the eye. It was pretty quiet and uneventfull though.

This morning, we did some obedience and food distraction stuff with the dogs. Mr. A did awesomely and ignored all the food.

I was on second trip both times today. The route both times were really easy. The town was very quiet, and sometimes there was not enough traffic to know when it was time to cross the road.

This afternoon we did a practice solo and it went fabulous!

This afternoon at the 4:30 park time, it was pouring and storming. He only had time to do #1. However, he did great and didn't seem to be bothered by the fact of having to wait until 8:00.

For the fourth, we ate out on the patio and had bbq chicken. The chicken was great, but who ever heard of pasta salad for the fourth. Nasty!

Tonight we watched the PR video of the Seeing Eye and a video on how an orientation and Mobility instructor can help us pattern our dogs.

I groomed him after park time. He did great and seems to be great, except for that ear infection. He will be into see the vet tomorrow so they can look down in there and see what is going on.

O well, that is all. I am sorry there is no picture on here yet, but livejournal is being retarded about letting me upload it.

Tomorrow we solo Elm, maybe start the high school route, and get our new harnesses!

See ya then!

Andrew

Hey all, We began the Elm Street route today.

IT isn't a bad route at all. It has more offset intersections, construction zones, distractions, etc. but Mr. A handled it awesomely.

We worked it once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It is around 1.5 miles so we definitely get our exercise.

Also, today we learned how to use a gentle leader which is a strap that fits around their snout and head which calms them down and allows you to feel the movement of their head more.

This morning, he ran a few curbs and just was a little off his pace. However, this afternoon he worked awesomely. I was so proud. I feel like I could solo the route in the morning.

Also, today, we learned how to brush our dogs teeth everyday, how to give them pills, and how to clean their ears. While doing this, we discovered that he has a minor ear infection so it is now being treated.

I groomed him tonight after our final park time at 8:00. We had no lectures tonight. Tomorrow night, I believe we get their new harnesses. We have been using old ones due to the fact they are more comfortable for the dog at this point.

Tomorrow, we train as usual even though it is the 4th of July. However, we will have grilled chicken! I am so definitely excited.

Well, to all the people at GDB and such who are reading, good luck and I am definitely reading your journals!

Happy IndependenceDay tomorrow!

Andrew

Hey all, I didn't get the picture yet. Hopefully it will be here tomorrow.

Today was pretty dead. We walked a mile on the leisure path, groomed, had the dog food lecture, and gave addresses to send our tapes home to tell how people should react around a dog.

As far as food goes, Mr. A will be staying on eukanuba (yes that is spelled wrong i am sure).

He has slept a good bit of the day. However, I have as well so I can't talk much. Tomorrow, we start the Elm Street route. Boy am I ready!

Sorry this was so short!

Andrew

Hello all, Today was solo day here at The Eye. This is where the instructor follows us about a block behind. We do all the navigating ourselves.

We did totally awesome. H missed no curbs, he did get distracted by a dog but after a correction he got right back to work. I did make one wrong turn and John yelled up and told me, however i already new I did. I fixed it and went on. Afterwards, John told me that we did awesome!

Before lunch, John showed us how to get to the leisure path here on the campus so we can go out and take a leisurlywalk :-d. This afternoon we were off as well as all day tomorrow. I took a long knap until Mr. A got restless and then I took him for a jog on the leisure path. This got rid of a lot of his energy.

Today, we also started cleaning up oafter our dogs. For anyone who does not know, we put a bag over our hand, and when our dog stops circling us, we feel their back. If they are arching their back to go to the bathroom, we place our oot next to them, and when they are done, we pick up the pile and bag it. It isn't near as bad as it sounds.

Well, I know it was short and sweet, and I am sure tomorrow's will be even worse. HOwever, I will try to put up a picture tomorrow to entertain you guys!

See you tomorrow night!

Andrew