As I See It

The Working Life of a Guide Dog

Learn what it takes to care for a guide dog.

Sometimes members of the public do not understand the role of a guide dog. Some people do not know how to treat the dog, or the person with the dog, or know how to behave when they encounter a person with a guide dog. They do not understand the relationship between dog and handler, or are uncertain how to approach either. Inspired by a friend, I have been answering some common questions about how I got my guide dog and how the relationship works between us works. Here, I address some common questions about caring for a guide dog over the span of their careers. Question: What kind of food does a guide dog typically eat? Answer: During training, a handler will get recommendations for what to feed their guide dog (or dog guides, as some …

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Learn How a Guide Dog Guides

A blind resident of Chatham Borough describes the interaction between dog and handler.

Sometimes members of the public do not know how to behave when they encounter a person with a guide dog. They do not understand the relationship between dog and handler, or are uncertain how to approach either. Recently I answered some questions from a friend, who asked me about how I got my guide dog and how the relationship works between us works. "You should write about this and let other people know," he said. Here I try to explain how a handler works with a guide dog. Question: How does the guide dog (or dog guide, as some prefer to call them) know where to go? Answer: During their training to become handlers, students learn required and appropriate verbal commands, hand gestures and body positions that let the dog know what you want …

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As I See It

What You Should Know About Getting a Guide Dog

Educating Chatham residents about blindness issues.

Sometimes members of the public do not understand how to behave when they encounter a person with a guide dog. They do not always know how to treat the handler, or what to do with the dog. The first thing you should remember is that a guide dog is a working dog, not a family pet. A friend of mine, another Chatham resident, asked me about how I got my guide dog and how people should act. As I answered his questions, I could hear his enthusiasm building. "You should write about this and let other people know," he said. So I did. Question: How does one get a guide dog (or dog guide, as some prefer to call them)? Answer: Getting a guide dog is serious business and requires that an applicant go through a lengthy process of filling out forms, …

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Roads Getting Paved Friday

Four borough streets to be resurfaced.

Borough Engineer Vincent DeNave said four borough roads will be repaved on Friday. Residents should plan their commutes and parking accomodations accordingly. Weston Avenue, Girard Avenue, Bridge Street and Tallmadge Avenue will be resurfaced by the Department of Public Works (DPW). After encountering notification problems for work on Tallmadge Avenue last week, DeNave said, "I walked personally door-to-door" to notify residents of the repaving. If no one was home DeNave left written notice where the residents would be sure to find it. Sally Myers, a resident of Girard Avenue, appealed to the Borough Council in September to install sidewalks in her neighborhood. "Our neighborhood, in and out, is an unsafe passageway," Myers said. "Traffic …

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