Hello Wendy: I have been a dog guide handler for over 22 years and am currently on my 4th guide. I use a BrailleNote GPS (Version 3.5) with my dog guide and find them to be a natural compliment to one another. As the manual suggests, make sure that your son is a well accomplished dog handler, otherwise the GPS becomes another distraction and could, in that light, represent a danger.
One of the things I really enjoy is not necessarily using the dog guide and GPS at the same time but rather one leading to another. i.e. I use the GPS while on the bus or while riding in a car, but once I get near my destination and leave the mode of transportation then totally devoting my attention to the dog. That being said however, with the gps's ability to get me very near the door of a particular destination, it makes it very simple for my guide to find the way inside a building. Like any other tool, the GPS should be used as an enhancement to travel and NOT depended on for the whole experience. There is no replacement for good O&M and dog handling skills. If you have any specific questions about the GPS and how I use it, please feel free to contact me off list at the address in my signature line. Good luck and hth Jeff Molzow [EMAIL PROTECTED] P.S. What school did your son attend that enabled him to get a dog at age 13??, just curious. ___ To leave the BrailleNote list, send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To view the list archives or change your preferences, visit http://list.humanware.com/mailman/listinfo/braillenote
