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 Dan started by thanking the Carmichael Rotary Club for allowing him to speak today about Guide Dogs and his experiences.He showed a volunteer how you walk with a blind person by leaving your left arm for the person to touch and then walk – be sure to tell the blind person if you are going down or up steps. He said that “sighted” people should know that you never touch or talk to a dog who is in harness. You should never give them “treats”. Dan said that only the dog owner can give commands. He said that his dog “does his business” on command and at a certain time of the day and on a hard surface. He gave an interesting illustration of how he “picks up” after his dog. Dan says that thanks to Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), he has been liberated to go out into the public, go on public transportation, to the store and virtually anywhere. He came, for instance, all the way from Canada on two flights with Kirk, his dog. These trained dogs are selected to suit the personality of their owners – Dan says that he is outgoing and action oriented and Kirk matches that, a more subdued dog might be selected for a more placid person. Dan does all the grooming for his dog, which is a fun time for them both. The dog is pattern trained in the beginning being with the selected dog. The dog will walk with the person (along with a sighted person) to a certain door (maybe a home or business) and it has to be the right door because the dog never forgets and will bring you back years later to that exact spot. Dogs navigate the person around obstacles, looks out for manholes or holes or dips in the pavement or ground, and actually will not let you walk through a door opening which to too low – so you won’t bump your head. They will bring you to the non “hinged” side of a door so that you can enter from the opening (some doors are hinged left and some right). They are trained to be “beneficially disobedient” so that your dog will not obey your command if the command will cause you harm. Dan mentioned that one day he was on the street corner and was going to cross but his dog would not obey his command – so he felt out in front of him with his hands and felt a ladder which was protruding from a truck and he would have smashed into it. GDB has been very good to Dan and have paid for everything related to his dog and his trips to San Rafael and Oregon for training and to “pick-up” his dog. Dogs are retired on average after seven years and the owner tell GDB when it is time to retire. Dan has had several Dogs and GDB budgets $100,000 for each dog. President Vicky happily told Dan that in honor of his interesting presentation, a book will be donated to the Carmichael Library (Sacramento Public Library subsidiary) | ||||||
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| District Governor Ray Ward, Speaker Dan McKay, President Vicky Boatwright, in foreground Guide Dog Kirk | ||||||
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| District Governor Ray Ward, President Vicky Boatwright, Ms. Alison Hastey, District Governor Elect Brent Hastey | ||||||
