[blindlaw] Re Guide Dog in the Workplace

[ckrugman at sbcglobal.net]

from the standpoint of balance what happens in the work place when your work 
and life are disrupted to eventually retrain with another guide dog after so 
many years?
chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Orozco" <jsorozco at gmail.com>
To: "'NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List'" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 6:09 PM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Re Guide Dog in the Workplace


> Elizabeth,
>
> For a bit of fair and balanced perspectives, I'll refute your points with 
> my
> own experiences, though most of your points can be valid.  My responses 
> are
> in-line:
>
> 1.  Your cane doesn't love you.  Your dog is a living being with a
> centuries-old bond to humankind, motivated by a quick intelligence, a
> courageous and playful spirit, and a loving heart.
>
> * Your cane doesn't love you, but nor is it demanding.  Smack on a tip 
> every
> so often, and it could care less if you're happy, sad, or in the mood for
> going anywhere at the break of dawn.*
>
> 2.  Your cane extends your fingertip maybe six feet in front of you. 
> That's
>
> good.  Your dog knows what's happening a block away--that construction 
> site
> that will make you retrace your steps; that cool coffee-house you might 
> walk
>
> right on by; that dear friend who hasn't noticed you yet.  That's great!
>
> * And let's not forget the squirrels that entice even the most trained of
> service animals.  If you were furry, had a tail and funny ears, wouldn't 
> you
> get excited if said friends were blowing kisses and generally distracting
> you from doing your job and getting to your meeting on time?*
>
> 3.   With your cane and your developed mobility skills, you'll earn 
> people's
>
> respect for doing what they themselves can't imagine doing.  Your dog will
> smile back at that pretty woman you've been too shy to approach, and make
> that pickpocket think twice about picking yours.
>
> * Do we really want to be respected for what our dog can do?  I thought
> respect is something I came by for my own abilities.  That pickpocket may
> think twice about snatching something from me, or he might love dogs and
> stick his tongue out at it as he walks away with my wallet.  As for the
> woman, well, do you want her to be more excited about seeing you or your
> canine?*
>
> 4.   When you're feeling low, your cane won't have much to say about it.
> Your dog's needs will get you up off the couch and outside into the fresh
> air.
>
> * Then again, when it's below 32 degrees outside, and the sidewalks are 
> full
> of unshoveled snow, you can enjoy feeling low and freezing at the same
> time!*
>
> 5.   When was the last time you were out with the guys and told a funny
> story about your cane?
>
> * When was the last time you were out with your friends and had to stop to
> try to clean up diarrhea?  Me thinks you'd be the butt end of that funny
> story.*
>
> In short, people think I'm cynical about guide dogs and wonder why I ever
> got one.  I'm realistic is all, and while everything Elizabeth says can be
> true, the sheer responsibility of owning a guide dog does not merely 
> balance
> the good times, it outweighs it.  If you can deal with all that, by all
> means go out and get yourself a guide dog.  Responsibility notwithstanding
> it can be a pretty great experience.  To give you something positive, I've
> gotten Gator to the point where we can land at any gate at some airports 
> and
> find our way to the taxis without any assistance, as if on autopilot. 
> That,
> to me, kicks ass.
>
> Best,
>
> Joe
>
> "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves,
> some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."--Sam Ewing
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth Rene
> Sent: Saturday, December 18, 2010 8:24 PM
> To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [blindlaw] Re Guide Dog in the Workplace
>
> Dear Daniel,
>
> I was 27 and in law school when I got my first dog.  I was a
> very good cane
> traveler, and still am when necessary.  Here's my take on the
> advantages of
> having a guide dog.
>
> 1.  Your cane doesn't love you.  Your dog is a living being with a
> centuries-old bond to humankind, motivated by a quick intelligence, a
> courageous and playful spirit, and a loving heart.
>
> 2.  Your cane extends your fingertip maybe six feet in front of
> you.  That's
> good.  Your dog knows what's happening a block away--that
> construction site
> that will make you retrace your steps; that cool coffee-house
> you might walk
> right on by; that dear friend who hasn't noticed you yet.  That's great!
>
> 3.   With your cane and your developed mobility skills, you'll
> earn people's
> respect for doing what they themselves can't imagine doing.
> Your dog will
> smile back at that pretty woman you've been too shy to
> approach, and make
> that pickpocket think twice about picking yours.
>
> 4.   When you're feeling low, your cane won't have much to say
> about it.
> Your dog's needs will get you up off the couch and outside into
> the fresh
> air.
>
> 5.   When was the last time you were out with the guys and told a funny
> story about your cane?
>
> Weigh the evidence.
>
> Happy Holidays,
>
> Elizabeth
>
>
>
>
>
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