[Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup

Thu Mar 21 18:49:37 UTC 2013

Good afternoon everyone,

Maybe by your standards but not by everyone's. This comes from someone who 
once had a guide dog from GDB. Their dogs were well-trained but the way they 
treated their students left much to be desired. Again this comes from one 
with direct experience with that school. At least SE is more progressive 
with how it treats its students and alumni. Now imagine how much better the 
blind themselves could do at operating a guide dog program.

Peter Donahue

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kelby Carlson" <kelbycarlson at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 12:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup

I'll weigh in a little on this discussion, as I am a new dog user
and a member of several guide dog lists.

I work with Guide Dogs for the Blind, and I think their ownership
policy is quite reasonable.  As someone who cares a great deal
about these dogs, I think this is a good step to ensure that the
dogs are well cared for and being used.  Guide Dogs hast strict
standards of how its dogs are to be handled; I can say from
personal experience that training is rigorous and expectations
are high.  I can say with equal candor that it is a good thing
most Guide Dog schools cover the costs, as it would be extremely
difficult for an individual blind person to do it themselves.  I
certainly never felt like a "charity case" at Guide Dogs, nor did
I feel that my blindness was portrayed negatively.  Quite the
contrary: getting a guide dog was one step in empowerment and
independence for me, and that is how they treat it.  I have seen
what seems to me to be a certain anti-guide dog sentiment in the
NFB sometimes, and it makes me uncomfortable as my school and my
dog have been great sources of help, encouragement and improved
independence.

Kelby

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "justin williams" <justin.williams2 at gmail.com
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:59:20 -0400
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup

Oh,  Not really.  I don't have that many pieces of exercise
equipment at my
house, and I am in good shape.   I'm not saying they shouldn't
have it, but
they could improvise.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Julie J.
Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 12:34 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup

I wasn't talking about numerous buildings, fancy food and
expensive
equipment for the dogs.  I meant that stuff was for the people.
Sure it's
nice to have a computer room, exercise equipment, a garden with
manicured
paths, food prepared by a chef and all the other perks, but are
those things
necessary?  I don't think they are.

Julie
On 3/20/2013 11:04 AM, justin williams wrote:
 No, pamper the dogs.  They work hard and they deserve it.  I
like the
 other stuff you said though.

 -----Original Message-----
 From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Julie J.
 Sent: Thursday, March 21, 2013 9:08 AM
 To: Blind Talk Mailing List
 Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Canes and Dogs, the In-House Checkup

 I think the answer to protecting the dogs is two fold.  First I
would
 like to see a more in depth background investigation of the
blind
 applicant.  Do a criminal background check, require more
references,
 ask the neighbors...whatever it takes.  Adoption agencies place
 children into homes surely we can figure out a way to more
accurately
 know what sort of situation the dog will be placed into.
Secondly, I
 think there are already agencies in place for dealing with
animal
 abuse, the police and animal control.  I don't see any reason
why
 these agencies can't be used in cases of neglect or abuse.

 In regard to cost and the blind applicant absorbing the cost of
the
 dog in order to own the dog outright is an extremely valid
point.  We
 have to stop expecting everything for nothing.  I like the
Seeing
 Eye's concept of charging the student.  I do wish that the cost
had
 increased over the years with the cost of living.  It has been
$150
 since the beginning of the school in 1928.  I think that's the
right
 year.  $150 was a very different sum of money then and now.

 I also think that guide dogs can be raised and trained for
 substantially lower sums of money than $60,000.  If you look at
the
 various guide dog programs and how much each claims it costs to
train
 a dog, the numbers vary widely.  All those buildings, fancy
food,
 excessive equipment and other niceties cost money.

 Julie

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