
Ready, Set, FORWARD!
If you are blind or visually impaired and between the ages of 14-24, please plan to join us for our monthly webinar series as we help you answer the burning question: to cane or to canine?
Realize the PAWS-ibilities as we talk to guide dog users, GDB staff members, parents, and blindness professionals during our monthly webinars. We will explore a different topic each month - from understanding the differences between using a cane or a guide dog for mobility, how best to prepare for a guide dog partnership, our K9 Buddy option if a guide dog is not in your future, to what your day-to-day life might look like with a guide dog when you are in high school or away at college, participating in recreational activities, or traveling with your guide dog on a plane, train, or in an automobile.
You’ll also learn about the canine connection and how a K9 Buddy or a guide dog might fit into your family life and social interactions, and how having a dog can help build your confidence and advocacy skills. You will hear some “tails” of success from our alumni who received their guide at a young age and are living the “ruff life!”
And if you are a parent or teacher of a child, teen, or young adult who is blind or has low-vision and might benefit from a partnership with a K9 Buddy or a guide dog, these webinars are for you as well!
We realize that people have so many questions, and the GDB community has the answers!
When: The last Thursday of every month
Time: 5:00 pm PST
Location: Zoom
Dates and Topics, 2023-2024
March 30, 2023
- What are the key differences between using a cane or a guide dog for mobility?
- How can I best prepare for a partnership with a K9 Buddy and/or a guide dog?
May 18, 2023
- What is really involved with taking care of a dog?
- What are the daily, weekly, monthly, and annual care commitments of having a K9 Buddy or guide dog?
- What is the emotional impact of having a K9 Buddy or a guide dog (i.e., unexpected illness or death, retirement, etc.)?
May 25, 2023
- Why are my independent living (IL) skills so important if I would like to partner with a K9 Buddy or a guide dog?
June 29, 2023
- What can I expect as I go through GDB’s application process for a K9 Buddy or guide dog?
July 27, 2023
- Is my family ready to welcome a K9 Buddy or a guide dog into our home?
- What role does everyone play?
August 31, 2023
- Am I ready to be the leader of the pack and to manage the behavior of those around me and their interactions with my dog?
September 28, 2023
- How would I deal with pet dogs or other service animals out in public?
- How do I advocate for myself and the guide dog community?
September 28, 2023
- What is it like to have a guide dog while still in high school?
September 28, 2023
- What is it like being away at college with a guide dog?
September 28, 2023
- What is it like having a job when you have a guide dog?
September 28, 2023
- I love to travel, where can I go and how will I get there?