Christina: [00:00:00] Welcome to the taking the lead podcast, where we empower people to be unstoppable. I'm Christina, Hoeppner with my co-host Leslie Hoskins and Timothy Kuo. And today we're gonna have a little bit of a shorter episode because we're gonna talk about one of those topics that we've been getting questions about.
But first I have so much traveling coming up. And I didn't think about this before, but my sister's wedding, everyone, all my family, all my friends is, are going to be there. So the first time for the first time ever, I'm gonna have to board my dog.
Leslie: How is duke gonna handle that? Um, I don't
Christina: know. He's used, I mean, he he's lived with dogs.
He's lived with cats. Like he's lived with a lot of other animals before, um, when I had roommates and stuff. And then, but he's always stayed like at my parents or he's stayed with a friend or so for the first time I'm actually gonna take him. So he's probably gonna love it to be honest, because someone's gonna constantly be paying attention to him cuz he loves attention.[00:01:00]
But. It's funny though. When I take him to my parents, he never wants to get back in the car because he gets spoiled.
Leslie: Well, that's so funny. So we have, uh, Mila, our small dog. She's only like five pounds. Um, she doesn't know, she's only five pounds. She thinks she's much larger, but we are so lucky that. My parents will either watch her or my in-laws will watch her.
And now it's like a package deal. Like, Hey, can you take my dog and kids? So sometimes , we'll start with the kids. Cuz that seems to be a little bit more exciting for the grandparents, but we're like, Hey, can you watch her kids this weekend? By the way, Mila will be there too. Yeah.
Christina: she'll be joining.
Leslie: Yes. Well,
Timothy: you know, I've got my, uh, I've got a couple trips this planned this, uh, later this year.
And one of those is I'm leaving the country, but glacial will not be going with me. So I had to find a, a, uh, special place to take her, cuz my family are not close enough to take care of her. So I had to find a [00:02:00] professional that would be taking in boarding glacier for me for a week. And that it's a huge process of trying to find somebody.
You can trust somebody because these are not an ordinary dog. Mm-hmm these. Especially trained dog. And they need, they need some attention too. And so you gotta find the right one and sometimes that's a difficult procedure to do. And thank God. I finally found one and, uh, they do a great job
Christina: with her. Yeah.
So Timothy, what is that like? Cuz obviously if you're gonna be gone, do you trust one to, you know, Walk with her, you know, work with her a little bit to get, to keep her skills up, or is it just a vacation for her too?
Timothy: It's basically a vacation for her. She gets to take the week off, which, you know, I'm a little nervous about that, but you know, these dogs, they maintain all their, all their skills.
You know, it, it take a good while for them to start forgetting it. But the lady I found, I found on an app. And, uh, she works for, uh, a, uh, Petco, a place where all, you know, it's dog and cats and all that places. And she works for [00:03:00] veterinarian too. Part-time so I found her and, uh, I look at her background, all her reviews above other people, and I chose her and, and we've used her once or twice already now.
And it's been a great, great experience with her and I, for me to leave my dog with you, I had to really trust. And, uh, I trust her a whole lot and every time I come back, they, they don't wanna let her go home. I have to, I have to say, no, wait a minute. I gotta go home. I really need her. Yeah. So we, we have a little argument about that, but we booked her for another one this October and they, they can't wait to say her.
They, they love
Leslie: her. Aw, I'm sure that's a stressful situation, right? Because you do wanna make sure that people understand this. Isn't just a typical pet dog, right? This is a service animal. And, you know, they have certain rules and certain toys and things they can and cannot do. Um, so did you have to like do an interview?
Did you, how did you pass along all that information? Yeah, the
Timothy: first time we met or we went to our, their house, I looked at the her house and it's a backed in fencing backyard, which was [00:04:00] great. That's an important thing. And I told her, look, this is what she can. Can't have certain size toys. No. And don't feed her any table scraps.
She's gotta eat this certain food. These certain treats she's on a set time. I mean, it's just, it, it for her to accept glacier with all the rules and as she did it, and you gotta be very thorough about it, cuz these dogs are, like I said, not an ordinary dog and you just gotta make sure they're gonna be taken care of.
Leslie: Yeah, that is
Christina: so inter because I didn't think about that. I was just like, oh shoot, no one in my family can watch my dog. I'm just gonna go to, you know, my dog can go to an average boarding place, whereas I'm sure she couldn't be around that many. You know, those dogs are trained. My dog is not trained. I mean, he's, I mean, he is trained, but not trained to that extent.
Um, but yeah, I, I, would've never thought of that. And so you said you've used her a couple of times already, so you're ready for this [00:05:00] next
Timothy: trip. Oh yeah. Or I co contact her this week for a trip in October and glacier loves going over there because there's like a four year old little girl there and glacier loves kids.
So they get to play all, all week. And they, they have a ball. And so, I mean, it's a great little situation. Glacier and the family and they adore glacier and they cannot wait to see her again in October, but you gotta really put, like I said, put a big trust in these people. So you really need to check them out thoroughly reviews if they got any, I just don't hand my dog over to anybody.
And I don't want put her in a kennel at a vet veterinarian because she'll be caged. Yeah. The entire. And she might get out two or three times a day for maybe 10 or 15 minutes. And I just couldn't imagine my dog being caged up like that. And so she gets the RO of the house and sometimes in the backyard they get to play ball.
So she's more relaxed with a personal, uh, private house lady. And she does a great job, her and her husband and
Leslie: our. [00:06:00] That's awesome. I'm sure that relieves a lot of stress. Um, knowing that she's in a good place with somebody that you can trust, who knows and understands the importance of the guidelines and rules that she has to follow.
Um, because I think so many times it's like with kids, right? When I send my kids to either set of grandparents, right. It's cookies, it's Cheetos. It's like all the things, which is fine. Right. Cause they're their grandma and grandpa or I'm on Papa. That's what they get to do. Um, but there are rules. And so it is important that you're sending them with somebody who can understand that and not just kind of take it as like a, a little free for all.
What's
Timothy: great is she sends me a picture every day, glacier every day I get a picture of glacier, so I know that she's doing great. And I always miss that little face when I see her. So I miss my dog when I leave her. But. I it's better where she's at than where I'm at. Trust
Christina: me for a dog. Yeah. Yeah. And that, that also goes into the factor of, is a guy dog, right.
For me, because you don't think about that. Like, you can't take that dog on every trip you like, you're going outta the [00:07:00] country, going on a flight like that for a dog would be a lot. I mean, um, every time, I mean, I sure it can be done. Um, but those are factors that you really have to think about too is how often do I travel?
Can I tra you know, can I take the dog every time, all of that sort of stuff.
Timothy: I could take her to where I'm going, but I believe my personal opinion that I'm gonna Mexico. And I just think that for me, I think she'll be more relaxed at home. A little less stress. I'll be less, little less stressed and she'll have a ball where she's at and you know what, I'll just get my cane out and I'll take care of myself for those five days.
So she gets a little break too. So it's just in your situation, what you want to do. And uh, to me, it it'll be better off
Leslie: her, just staying. It can be really expensive, making sure you have, uh, are up to date on all the vaccines and things like that when you're traveling to different countries and the rules, and honestly, the different cultural backgrounds of the acceptance and, and understanding of service animals can [00:08:00] be different from country to country.
So knowing that, uh, going into it and what's the best call.
Timothy: Not every country has an ADA and a lot of countries don't allow dogs into the restaurants and in our stores and stuff, and they can deny you going in there. Mm-hmm and some of them let you do, but a lot of them don't so they don't have to follow the rules they do here in the United States.
And that's something I do. Put in, you know, in, into my decision. And if I'm going to the beach, would glacier like going to a beach on a hot beach? No, she wouldn't. And then it limits on what I can do wherever I'm going, because she can't do then I can't do so. I mean, it'd just be better off for both of us.
She'll be where she is and I'll be where I'm at and she's perfectly fine with that. And I'll suffer. I, I probably miss her more than she misses me. so, uh, she's fine. And, and just may need to make that decision. And just sit down, do the pros and cons of that trip. Well,
and
Leslie: I'll rest easy knowing that your cane is getting all that use
Yeah. And you're gonna be practicing all those skills. I'm gonna sleep better that week, just knowing all of that cane use, [00:09:00] that's gonna be happening.
Timothy: Well, I'll I'll I'll I'll break that thing out. I guarantee I
Christina: was waiting for Leslie to comment on that. I was
Leslie: waiting it's always about the can. It's always about the, the, it always comes back to the cane.
I dunno if you guys have noticed, but, um, another thing that when Christina, we first started talking about this, uh, Christina had mentioned, would you have somebody like use glacier and maintainer skills? So I'm, I would like to talk about that a little bit more as to why or why not. That would be a good idea to give somebody the harness to work your dog.
Timothy: Don't think it would be a good idea because it's not like a car. Anybody can drive a car, not anybody can drive a dog. Absolutely. And it's, I don't think glacier would like it. She's only been held to me, to me all other than the trainer. I've been the only person she's worked with. And I don't think she would like it and she would be confused.
And I don't wanna add any confusion to the dog now. I, these, I know you guys have ambassador [00:10:00] dogs. Mm-hmm and they do little, you know,
Leslie: samples. Yeah, totally. D that's totally
Timothy: different. This dog is used every day with one person and that is it. Now, if something ever. I don't think I would allow anybody to even try it.
So, no, I wouldn't do it. Yeah. I don't think it's
Christina: a good idea. Yeah, that totally makes sense. And I didn't think about that. I didn't think about that factor. When I asked that question, I was just honestly curious like, oh, do you know how long can this dog remember these skills? I mean, they are very smart, highly trained dogs.
I mean, are can ambassadors, which are basically our, um, we can take these dogs to events. They can be pet, they work career change, leader dogs. Um, but they can. Act as a leader dog. So when we do blindfold walks, that sort of stuff, um, people use these dogs, but I didn't think about that too, that they pick it up.
Right. Just like that. So, I mean, and they probably sometimes go months. Yeah. Um, But yeah, I never thought that that is very interesting. I'm glad he brought it back up because I, I didn't
Leslie: know. [00:11:00] Right. So you wouldn't, you know, when you drop glacier off to, uh, this person who's watching the dog, you're not gonna bring her harness because there will be the, yeah.
Timothy: The harness stays with me. The only thing goes with hers is the leash and the food and her. Worm. Yeah, that's the only thing that's left
Leslie: her worm.
Timothy: what is that? What's that six foot worm. She loves it. She loves it. She sleeps with it. She plays with it all everywhere. She dusts my floor with it. She's good at that.
But yeah, we call it the worm. It's a big caterpillar
Christina: with all
colors
Christina: is like
Leslie: Timothy or worm. I, she had a pet worm, all of us then , you know, sometimes. Kids have their blankies, the glacier's gotta worms, gotta worm a
Christina: worm
Timothy: and our diaper bag, her diaper bag
Leslie: left their tooths. Yes. Right, of course.
Christina: And we've talked about that diaper bag before.
Timothy: Yes. I just don't see why it would be a good idea to let somebody try my dog and trust me, some people ask and I no. And that I just, no, I don't wanna hand over my keys to my dog. I can't do that.
Leslie: I loved your example though. Right? [00:12:00] Like everybody can drive a car who drives cars. Um, they're pretty much universal.
They're all the same. It's okay. But yeah, your guide dog is personal to you. She's been guiding you. She knows how to guide you personally. And the cannon ambassador dogs that we use. Their whole job. Their experience is guiding with random people and different people all the time. But I will say right when I'm doing, uh, a blindfold walk, which is basically for us when we're providing an experience of what it might be like to travel with a guide dog.
So when we do events, um, we'll ask people if they want to put on a blindfold and kind of walk with a guide dog, just to give a very, very, very, very small. Glimpse of what it's like to work with a guy dog. We know it's nothing actually in comparison to really doing it. However, um, it gives a little idea of, of the independence factor there and that these dogs are incredibly talented and can do these things.
But. When we're working with our, uh, Canan ambassadors, we do assist them a lot. So they, because they aren't doing it [00:13:00] regularly and it's often with different trainers or different people like myself. Um, so yeah, I usually take a couple run throughs, practice it a little bit, make sure we're all on the same page with what the expectations are.
Uh, cause they don't know when they're with different people, whereas glacier knows, right? Yeah. You put the harness on her. She's ready to go. She's ready to
Christina: guide you. Yes. And there is always a trainer, somebody holding the dogs leash just in case just in
Timothy: case.
Leslie: It is fun though. I will say, um, we have, I think 13 can investors right now and it is great to take them out and to, to see that they really do still maintain these skills, not quite as advanced, obviously as glacier, but that they can do these walks to provide a little bit of an example of what it is like, um, for people traveling with a guy, dog, which I think is really helpful.
Yeah.
Timothy: Yeah. That's what got me addicted when you took me there that Friday and they gave me that dog. Oh my, oh, it was great. I gotta have one of these.
Leslie: So yeah. So that's like another example of when we use these Canan [00:14:00] ambassadors is sometimes our O and M clients who come in are interested in a guide dog, like Timothy, you were kind of interested and you wanted to learn a little bit more.
Uh, um, and so it made sense as part of our training that on that last Friday, we did a dog walk. And so we walked with a guy dog, so you could get an experience and an idea of what it's like to see if this is something you want in the future. It's
Timothy: different. I mean, you gotta pace, you gotta walk, you gotta know the commands and they give you a little sample, little, you know, give it what, what you gotta do and how you hold the harness and how you hold the, the, uh, leash with the harness.
And it just gives you a little taste of it. And that's just that little bit can make your decision. Yay or nay. And I pick. Yes. And , I'm glad you guys gave me that opportu. Yeah.
Leslie: And it's important to know. We don't always do the dog walks. It really depends on the client and their goals and if it's appropriate or not with their skills.
Um, but it is a really nice way to kind of test drive it. If you will, and get an idea, cuz some people have the opposite impact. They walk with a dog and realize, oh my gosh, we've taken away [00:15:00] a lot of tactile information. Um, and they realized maybe this isn't for me. I don't actually like it. So it can go one of two.
Most times we do find that people really enjoy it because it does go a little faster and you don't get stuck in as many things, but, um, it really can go either way. , it's nice to give people the opportunity. I see. I,
Christina: you gotta listen the way Leslie is saying that too, you know that she's like, no, the white can,
Leslie: the
Timothy: white.
Yeah, but the cane doesn't give you a kiss every night, but Carlos's
Leslie: up to you. You loves you.
Christina: Sticker with lips on the
Leslie: cane. oh gosh,
Timothy: I'm gonna come up with mine with some stickers all over.
Leslie: Yeah. Show it to you. Now. Listen, you can be dazzle the cane, I will say. So we had camp, you know, not too long ago. And so many campers had different color canes, like yellow canes, pink canes, blue canes.
They had stickers, they had beads. They, I mean, they really were like personalizing their canes. Yeah. Which [00:16:00] is pretty. Get one to match an
Christina: outfit.
Leslie: Every outfit it's empowering. Right? I mean, we can go back and talk about why the white and red cane is. It's probably the most important, and I that's a whole nother subject that probably people don't wanna hear about, but , uh, colored canes are done a thing and it's, I think it's cool, cuz it is really empowering people and they're taking a little bit more pride in that device.
It becomes a part of who they are. Yeah.
Timothy: Love that. Well, they should do that. I mean that's their opportunity to be who they wanna be. Exactly.
Leslie: Exactly. Well, all this to say that I am so glad you have found somebody that you can leave glacier with and that you trust. And obviously there was a lot of time and effort and thought and everything that went into that.
So what a relief, I'm glad that glacier will have a good place to go when you're out traveling the world with that beautiful white king.
Christina: Yeah. Thank you guys all so much for listening to this shorter episode. It was very insightful for me too, because honestly I've never had this conversation before and I've really [00:17:00] actually had a lot of questions that I didn't know I had
Leslie: before.
That's awesome. Well, thank you. Yes. Thank you, Timothy, for sharing that. And again, we're so glad that you found somebody. Thank you to our listeners for listening to the, taking the lead podcast. I'm Leslie Hoskins with host Tim fi CUO and Christina Hepner. We hope you enjoyed today's short episode. Please do join us next week.
As we continue to dive into the world of blindness.
Christina: Yes. And if you'd like to learn more about applying a leader dog, you can head to leader, dog.org or call us at (888) 777-5332. And don't forget, you can reach us at taking the lead at leader, dog.org with any questions or ideas. And if you like today's podcast, make sure to hit subscribe and check us out wherever podcast street.