GRADUATIONS
Diary of a
Blind Person
in Training at GDB
Story of Texan's
Graduation Day
Canine Buddy
Program
Info for
Raisers
Schedule
& Events
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Guide
Dog Puppy Raising Club |
Arapahoe
County, Colorado |
GRADUATIONS |
Diary of a Blind Person in Training at GDB |
Story of Texan's Graduation Day |
Canine Buddy Program |
Info for Raisers |
Schedule & Events |
Home |
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| NOTIFICATION From Barb Deevers, Puppy Raising Advisor When a dog goes into class the raiser will be notified right away. However, details as to who the student is and where they are from will not be available at this first contact. Student information will be provided to raisers in the pre-ceremony letter that arrives via mail shortly before graduation. GRAND GRADUATIONS Here are some tips from folks who have been to San Rafael or Boring to attend a pup’s graduation ceremony and from Barb Deevers, our PRA. 1. The day is for the Graduate, the raisers, and the dog. Leave current puppies being raised at home, or in the care of someone in the audience. 2. Greet the Graduate before you greet your dog. Remember, this person has worked hard to get to this day, and they are excited and nervous about meeting you! 3. Wait until the Graduate gives you the okay to interact with the dog. The person may let it become ecstatic to see you, or they may want to keep it under control. It’s their choice, and either way is fine. You will have time alone with the dog when the graduate is on stage before the ceremony, so concentrate on the person while you’re together. 4. Say good things about the dog, and avoid comments that might hurt, or undermine the graduate’s confidence. 5. Remember your Graduate with a gift of a photo album, a tape of happy memories, or some other keepsake. Save your puppy’s favorite toy to give him at graduation, or buy a new version of his favorite toy for him. 6. Graduation is a big deal: the graduates wear corsages & boutonnieres and publicity photos are taken of raiser, graduate and dog together, so dress up and make your attire fit the day. 7. Have a short speech prepared to give on stage beforehand–write it down if you have to! Tell a cute story about your puppy or give your heartfelt wishes for the graduate’s lives together. 8. Remember the trainer with a gift or puppy photo. 9. Bring lots of tissues! Graduations get emotional! THE NEXT BEST THING TO BEING THERE Attending your puppy’s graduation is the pinnacle of puppy raising. But scheduling and financial constraints don’t always allow us Colorado raisers to make the pilgrimage to the Guide Dogs’ campus. If you can’t make it to graduation, you can still contact your graduate and feel like a part of the activities. Here’s how: Once you have received written notice from Guide Dogs of your graduate’s name, write a letter to him or her, care of Guide Dogs. You can even enclose any puppy memorabilia you want to share, such as photos, too. If your dog is in San Rafael, address the letter to : Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. Admissions & Graduate Services P.O. Box 151200 San Rafael, CA 94915-1200 Raisers of Oregon graduates write to: Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. c/o Debbie Hibbard 32901 S. E. Kelso Road Boring, OR 97009 If you have something you’d like to be read when your puppy is presented during the graduation ceremony, use the above addresses and send it to the appropriate address as listed above, Puppy Raising Dept. for San Rafael dogs, and to Debbie Hibbard for Oregon Graduates. Whether or not you and your dog’s Graduate will remain in touch will depend on the person and how you hit it off, but no matter what the future holds, it’s great to make contact and be a part of the Graduate’s special day and open the door to learning a little more about your puppy’s future home and career! A GIFT FOR THE GRADUATE by Nancy Smith, a GDB puppy raiser in California We all fill out the "Fun Things about My Puppy" form when our pup is recalled for harness training. What we write is shared with our dog's new partner when they are matched. But if that form seems a little too short to cover all the wonderful things about your puppy, consider making an audio tape for your dog's blind partner as well. Few graduates receive this precious gift from their raisers, so if you choose to make one, your dog's partner will be the envy of the class! If you don't make a tape to accompany the "Fun Things" form, consider making one to present at graduation. Before you begin, make a list of things you want to talk about on the tape. Sometimes your mind can go blank when you press the record button. Here are some ideas to get you started: * Don't put anything negative on the tape. Funny stories are fine, but not if they tell about the dog doing something that the new partner would be horrified at! You don't want that person to wonder if the dog will do that again with them. The bond can be fragile in a new pairing. * List your pup's unique qualities: how wonderful he is and how the person who is matched to him must be very special indeed. * Tell funny little quirks like doing "frog sits" in the grocery line, or always sleeping upside down with all four legs in the air. * Include a lot about your home in general. What type of yard you have, the ages of your children, the kind of vehicle you own and your basic routine. * Describe the other pets in the home, and what their relationship to your puppy was like. * Tell where he slept, and if he snored, and describe his bed. * Talk about special trips you made with your puppy, how everyone was amazed at how wonderful your dog was, and any special distractions that the dog just breezed through. * Include a list of your dog's favorite type of toys. The new partner will be clueless on this, and it might save them a lot of money. * Physically describe the dog. Talk about his color, regal bearing, expressive eyes, white teeth, beautiful, flowing coat, etc. If the person can not see at all, they will truly appreciate this. |
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