Definitely the Second Guide!

Now that I have retired and have time, I have been helping my dear friend, Kathy Nimmer, with some of her speaking engagements. She has needed me to be her driver to a couple of events, and yesterday we went to a school district in another part of the state where she spoke at their back to school meeting for faculty and staff.

 When we travel together, my role is to get her there and back, and then act as a second guide (Nacho being first) as we go through the buildings, parking lots, and crowds. I show her the stage and podium configuration, point out any possible tripping or bumping hazards, and just keep my eyes and ears open for things she might need to know about but cannot see.

I was really needed yesterday.

Another dog was present in the role of comfort dog, and he was jumping and pulling at his leash trying to get to Nacho. His owner said she wanted her dog to meet Kathy's as it would calm him down, but Kathy declined as Nacho was working and has been trained to ignore other dogs when wearing his harness.

But the other handler brought her dog over anyway. (This is Nacho using Kathy's leg as a pillow while she speaks. It was so cute, I had to get a photo of it!)

Afterward Kathy, who I think was pretty frustrated that her request to keep the other dog back was ignored, stated that she knew I would have let her know had the comfort dog become aggressive toward Nacho. (My role is pretty broad as I travel with her!)

 But Nacho is so beautifully trained that he's pretty unflappable and the meeting of the dogs went okay.

Afterward delivering a very motivating speech, Kathy took me out to breakfast at a little cafe in town. I had a delicious cup of hot chocolate!

 Also joining us were two of Kathy's favorite teachers from the Indiana School for the Blind, her piano teacher on the left, and her science teacher on the right. They were amazing ladies and the same caliber of teachers as Kathy.

I enjoy traveling with Kathy, and especially the drive there and back to wherever we are going - we talk and reflect about school and education, and I give her feedback on how her speech went.

Kathy and I have co-taught in the classroom many times, and so it is nice to still be able to associate with her, albeit in a very different role as her driver and guide. However, I will NEVER be the caliber of guide that Nacho is. It is amazing to see him help Kathy negotiate safely around obstacles and people.