[blindlaw] Guide dogs in the workplace

[James Weisberg]

Andrew:

I have been practicing law for over ten years at all times with a guide dog.
My first position was a judicial clerkship.  Since, I have had several short
stints with small firms (two) and the remainder as a solo practitioner.  In
all cases my dog received more respect than I did (could just be my personal
character flaws at play here!) but what you can expect to deal with will be
"dog lovers" who despite the dog clearly being a "working animal" will
repeatedly "break the rules" by attempting to interact with your dog no
matter how many times or how direct or indirect you request otherwise.  I do
not know whether my dogs have prevented any job offers as of course there's
really know way of knowing.  But if you are planning a career as a lawyer,
litigator in particular, a guide dog is a GREAT asset - stock the jury with
retirement age woman and your golden regardless of the facts of your case!!
When the jurors start blowing kisses to your dog during testimony or
otherwise mouthing "I love you" to your dog AND opposing counsel notices
your ripe for settlement at recess.  I'm talking from experience here.  I
say go for it.

Aside from the employment aspect you will no doubt be pleasantly surprised
by the companionship aspect which is even better than the mobility
assistance.  If you are thinking about "Guide Dogs for the Blind" absolutely
go for it as they are a first rate organization and their dogs are the best.
Go to the Oregon campus, it's sweet and so it the food!!

Best~

James

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Andrew Webb
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 11:49 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] Guide dogs in the workplace

Hello -

 

I am seriously considering training for my first guide dog.  I wondered if
anyone in the white-collar professional world (law or otherwise) might have
any thoughts to share about the marriage of service animals to the
workplace?  I'm already fully aware of the legal right to bring guide dogs
to work as an accommodation.  Also, while I realize many people have strong
and varied opinions on the use of guide dogs from the standpoint of mobility
and independence, I'm not asking for those opinions here -- I've already
investigated the question at great length, and have concluded that for me
personally, a guide dog would be of significant help in my independent
travel.

 

My question, which I suppose can best be answered by guide dog users, is
whether there are any particular advantages or disadvantages/pitfalls in
using a dog as one negotiates a professional career.  Has anyone found
prospective employers to respond noticeably well, or else with discomfort,
to the presence of a guide dog during the interviewing/hiring process?  What
about reactions from co-workers on the job?  Has anyone ever felt that their
dog exposed them to unwanted scrutiny in their job, beyond that engendered
by the mere fact of being blind?

 

My own feeling is that a dog will help me to maneuver more confidently and
skillfully than I already do using my cane, and so I can only imagine that
this would be a positive in the workplace, just as it would in my personal
life.  But if anyone thinks that there might be professional downside that I
might not appreciate, I'm happy to get those thoughts.

 

Thanks.

 

Andrew Webb 

 

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