[gps-talkusers] Re: About gps and dog guide training.

Hi,
since 6 weeks I have a new guide dog and the free and open source software
Loadstone GPS helps me to give this new
dog the right commands at the right time while walking my old ways.
So I can show him his new ways in my area alone and make no big mistakes
with wrong commands at the wrong time which could easily confuse him at this
moment.
That gives me and him a safe feeling and after a while he will know where
to go.

Only the handling of the dog while using or learning to use Loadstone is a
bit
difficult so I would like to have three hands for that. ;-)
Fortunately I  have Loadstone GPS now also on my Nokia E60 because together
with a nice
"real" joystick the keyes are much larger and better to find than on my
Nokia N70.
This allows the using of my Nokia handset while it's in my jacket pocket.

Regards from Germany

Per

From: "Melinda Rauch" <mrauch@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 11:42 PM



Hi all,

Melinda and Smokey, My Mellow Fellow here,

Bill brought up Leader's Trekker/gps program, so I thought I would add to
his comments.

When I went to Leader Dog in July of 2006, we were told that Leader Dog
would not train someone to use a guide dog and a gps at the same time
because they feel that it would be too much to do all at once.  If you are
there to train with a dog, that should be your first objective, and they
say that you should wait at least six months after you get your dog before
you go through their gps training program so that you and the dog are
already on your way to becoming a team.  I did have my braillenote gps
with
me, and I used it a few times, but I mostly explored routes virtually
while
I was in my room after training because I wanted to focus on Smokey since
he was so new to me and I to him.

Also, from what I understand, Leader Dogs also trains people on the use of
the pacmate gps, as well as the Braillenote gps.  The trekker is the most
popular probably for economic reasons and portability reasons as well.
I've known several people who have gone through the Trekker program, and
they have all said that it was a good experience, but it is very intense.
Just my two cents worth.

Take care, and be safe out there!

Your friends always,


Melinda and Smokey My Mellow Fellow and April, now our angel dog.
mrauch@xxxxxxxxx


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