Any help with VA Voc rehab?

Vet,research all the schools you can pullup on the net.Im thinking there was or is one school that excepts the GI Bill. This was a long time back though.You might consider some art classes at a local college.Best of all click on Surry College in N.C. They have a full taxidermy program and being a credited school this may be your ticket.Good luck'Keep us posted.

 

You did respond to him that taxidermist are self employed? And that you would be self employed.

 

I have to agree with the counselor. You have a bad back, your taxidermy life is going to suck, your back is going to hurt morning noon and night.

Just doing a few mounts and liking that is not even close to the same as working 50-60 hours a week to run your own shop.

VA Voc rehab is not set up to put you in business, but to put you to where you can make a better living. The letter you ask other taxidermist to provide as letter of intent, well sad but true that hangs them out to hire you. regardless of your intent to open a shop. Getting taxidermy training does not mean you can do the business of taxidermy.

 

Well Boarzhead, there are a lot of us veterans on here and many of us are disabled as well. (Is old and senile a disability). Most of us got NADA from the VA . If you want to be a taxidermist, they can't teach you talent and talent is in big demand here. Like John C. said, you're going to be in for a rude awakening on the bent back issue as well. My disability is also my back and I have a nice stool and a foam rubber work pad that does me not one damned bit of good when I get on that fleshing machine. Much of the tedious work has me bent over that work table. So forgive us if we aren't more sympathetic to your problems. We suffer our own and refuse to let it be an issue.

Start talking to Bill Dishman. He runs a school and I know he deals with the VA more than most of us are even interested in doing.

 

John does has a good point, we are not trying to chase you away, but the money is in the bigger jobs, life size animals, Bears, big game heads, and African work. Setting down doing fishes and birdies will get you groceries and maybe gas for the truck. You got to do what you got to do. I have a spinal fusion, and work at a studio that does big jobs, I get babied when it comes to lifting things around the shop, but it is still hard work, and when you have a body part complaining to you 24/7, any job will be a test, even taxidermy. Good luck, and take Bill Dishmans advice.

 

I could be wrong, but a letter of intent is not an Ironclad contract. It only states you have intentions of hiring and you are not locked into anything. Conditions and situations change and no one is going to say "Hey, you committed to paying this guy for a year". If thats what you want to do, get innovative. Maybe someone could use a short term hand and will put you to work for a day or a week just to cover the stipulation. BUT, these guys would know if your back is going to be a problem.

 

Like I said, get innovative. Sounds like the guy just wants to cover his azz and needs a paper trail. If you need a license in your state maybe a wife or a brother gets it . That is, if a test is not required to become licensed. Here I think, it's a $100 and No Test ? (could be wrong) They send a letter and just let their license expire. They guy might make a call, but I have my doubts he goes for an onsite visit. You're in your dream job and out a few bucks.

I do know that if I had my sights on becoming a taxidermist, then I'm d@mn sure going to end up a taxidermist. Stay positive. You sound like you're bummed and giving up. Just a Minor road block. Get out and network, offer to help someone somewhere. If nothing else, it may test your back in real life situations. Just some thoughts for outside the box.. Good Luck

 

Thanks roundyracer for leading me towards some schools anyway

 

Look up John Griffith here in the Tutorials. You know, you can go to different teachers for different critters, you do not need to do it all at one "school". Generally you only get the basics at the schools, even though they tell you that you are ready for business after a few mounts.

 

I played the VA's Games for 1 1/2 years and went so far as to get letters of recommendation from over 50 people here. Well respected full time Taxidermists and I did all the research on just about every way you can classify it as a professional career and I got told to keep jumping through more hoops.

Then I found my State Vocational rehab office and they looked at all the paper and work I had and asked me to come back for an appointment in a week and when I got there they had reviewed everything and asked me which school I wanted to attend and what tools and supplies I needed when I returned to get started. I started the school within a month and placed my orders with the the Suppliers and by the time I was done with school I had a shop full of stuff to unpack and get going. The VA will keep you hanging on a file folder hook as long as they can because you are an open case and they get credit for helping you even though they are stringing you along and wasting your life.

Hope this helps

Jeff

 

The Letters were to try and prove that Taxidermy is a valid Profession

Jeff