[Missouri-l] Accessible World You and your Guide Dog presents "The Retirement of your Guide Dog." Oct. 13, 2010

[Nancy Lynn]

Newswire:

There comes a time in the life of every dog guide team when it becomes clear 
that this special partnership will soon end. The universal question for dog 
guide handlers is, "how, and when to retire a dog guide." The bond created 
between a dog guide and handler is one that can never be replicated no 
matter how much we wish it could be otherwise. The relationship between the 
two which began as a tentative bond and gradually grew into acceptance based 
on great love is forged over many years. A smooth-working relationship is 
based on experience resulting in memories for a lifetime. The years go 
by--you begin to notice sudden subtle changes in this partner you love. The 
end of any relationship is hard to face. That end is harder still when 
decisions must be made by you, the guide dog handler. As the changes you 
noticed become more apparent and persistent, the fact that this precious 
relationship will come to an end can no longer be denied. How do you 
separate the working relationship from the emotional relationship? At a time 
when you feel least able to make such a decision, you know you must do just 
that. Caught up in the grief and impending loss of your partner, it is hard 
to evaluate and make an objective decision based on the facts before you. 
When it comes to difficult questions, there are only difficult answers--they 
come after much personal struggle and tears. How you answer these perplexing 
questions has much to do with the reason for the retirement of the dog and 
your personal circumstances. What should you consider before making the 
choice to retire your guide dog? It is hard to make a decision when emotion 
may rule. How can you get to the practical considerations? What are they? 
What options are available when retiring your dog? Michele Drolet, a 
counseling specialist for the Seeing Eye since 1988, has had dog guides 
since 1974. Retiring a dog may be one of the hardest decisions you will ever 
face, but Michele has much to share and tips that may make a heart-wrenching 
decision a little easier to bear.

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Time: 5:00 PM PDT, 6:00 PM MDT, 7:00 PM CDT, 8:00 PM EDT
          and elsewhere in the world Thursday 00:00 GMT.

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to the Accessible 
World Guide Dog Users Room at:

http://conference.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rs2ccabdfcfd3a

Or, alternatively,

Select The Accessible World Guide Dog users Room at: www.accessibleworld.org
Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing 
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download 
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to 
the Accessible World rooms.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and 
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, 
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with 
the presenters and others in the virtual audience. To speak to us, hold down 
the control key and let up to listen. If no microphone is available, you may 
text chat with the attendees.

Accessible World uses News Wires, like this one, to inform people of the 
topic and times for the many Discussion Groups on Accessible World. The 
lists are announce only to keep the traffic to a minimum. You can join the 
Accessible World Announce List, the Tek Talk Announce List or the Sports 
Talk Announce List by completing the form at: 
www.accessibleworld.org/mailinglists

Accessible World Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair
Accessible World
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta at pacbell.net
Web: www.helpinghands4theblind.org

Marcia Moses, Events Coordinator
Accessible World
734-495-1496
Email: mgmoses at comcast.net

Steve Hoffman, President
Talking Communities
Email: steve at talkingcommunities.com

The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) 
not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the 
disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly 
relevant information about new products, services, and training 
opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access 
barriers that adversely affect them.




Robert Acosta, President
Helping Hands for the Blind
Email: boacosta at pacbell.net
Web Site: www.helpinghands4theblind.org

You can assist Helping Hands for the Blind by donating your used computers 
to us. If you have a blind friend in need of a computer, please mail us at 
the above address. 
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