Trainer saw future vision
Published 10:37 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Brenda Sexton-The Courier-Herald
When Janine Prindle's family started training Guide Dogs for the Blind through Enumclaw's Future Vision club she knew this day would come.
At the time her vision was pretty clear, but she could see into the future. She knew the eye disease she had would, over time, make it harder for her to get around. She knew one day she would have to rely on the very dogs she was training.
That day is coming.
Recently, the Enumclaw dog trainer packed up her bags and headed to the Oregon campus of Guide Dogs for the Blind for a four-week stay. While there she will learn how to work with a specially-selected dog and the dog will learn to work with Prindle and her special needs.
“This is a huge deal in the sense that she started her family doing this 39 dogs ago,” said Future Vision leader Jana Decker, who has been taking over the leash of the Enumclaw Guide Dog for the Blind feeder program since Prindle has stepped away. “To have had a hand in it for so long is an amazing feat, then to have it come full circle is a big deal.”
The irony isn't lost on Prindle. She's a bit nervous and excited to be on the receiving end this time.
“I'm really excited about getting the dog, a working dog, and hope it will enhance my mobility,” she said.
Prindle has participated with the Future Vision club, which is open to 4H and non-4H raisers, since it started in 1985.
Prindle was diagnosed with an eye disease in 1980 and knew there might be a time when a guide dog would be needed. About the same time, Prindle's son wanted a pet. Prindle and her husband Jack were looking for a “trial run” to see if the young man could handle the responsibility. The compromise was a guide dog.
That boy went on to raise 10 more dogs and his younger brother raised nine.
Even with her sons grown and moved away, Prindle continued to raise guide dogs. According to Decker, Prindle has in big and small ways had a hand in more than 180 dogs that have gone through the Enumclaw program in the past couple decades.
Even until recently, Prindle thought her vision was too good to qualify her for a guide dog, but someone close to her and the program pointed out it was time.
Legally blind, Prindle has no peripheral vision, but her central vision is good. She said her view of the world is like looking through a hole made by a standard paper punch or a key hole. Low light and darkness are more challenging.
Prindle's dog will enhance her mobility - alert her to objects in the way and help lead her at night, which she's been using a cane for lately.
“If the dog helps me as much as the cane, I'll see it as a real success,” Prindle said.
Prindle could, although it is not likely, receive a Future Vision guide dog. There are a number, she said, in the program outside Portland preparing for graduation.
“I like all breeds. I just want a great match,” she said. “I want a dog that will work well with me; fit into my lifestyle and likes kids.
“This one will be a bit more than a pet.”
Prindle's dog will be a working dog and that's why Prindle, an instructional paraeducator at Elk Ridge Elementary School in the White River School District, sent an e-mail and met with students to explain proper etiquette when meeting and seeing a guide dog.
She said she doesn't anticipate using the dog much at school, but wanted students and staff to be prepared.
Students, staff, and community members in general, should not interfere with a working dog when they see it, whether at school or out in the community. People should not try to pet it, talk to it, make noises toward it, call it’s name, stick their hand in it’s face, feed it or do anything that might distract the dog from performing its job. Distractions can be harmful to the dog and its owner.
There's a lot of information about guide dogs Prindle said people would be amazed to learn, that's why she's also invited friends, family, students and staff to graduation May 5 in Oregon.
“I think people will be impressed by the quality of training the dogs get and the dogs themselves,” Prindle said.
Prindle said the graduation ceremonies are usually emotional, so bring a couple of extra tissues. Following the graduation will be a reception and you will have a chance to see a working dog demonstration and take a tour of the campus. More information is available at the Web site at www.guidedogs.com.
According to information from Guide Dogs for the Blind, attending a graduation ceremony at Guide Dogs for the Blind is one of the best ways to really get acquainted with our program. They too advise guests to bring their tissues for the moving event which commemorates the efforts of students and their dogs. This is also the time puppy raisers say good-bye to their graduating dogs, and the graduating class members, like Prindle, bid farewell to return to their homes and families with new partners by their sides.
Prindle believes she has a leg up on other students in the Oregon program - she's been to graduation before.
“This time I'll be on the other side of the podium. Actually, the same side of the podium, the other side of the dog,” Prindle smiled.
When she returns with her new partner, the two will be celebrated with a reception May 19 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, hosted by Future Vision.
Prindle said she feels honored, not only to receive a guide dog, but that the guide-dog raising community is rallying to her support.
The welcome home celebration will also include information about Future Vision and a new batch of puppies for raising to continue the cycle of giving.
