[Blindtlk] Beyond Responsibility

Wed Jan 25 20:31:15 UTC 2017

Hi Peter:

I am in total agreement with you on this issue.  I have had this complaint 
for many years but when I have mentioned it to other blind people they 
ignore it and say it is up to each individual to find out for themselves.  I 
agree that a website with this information would be extremely helpful to all 
of us.  NAGDU officers, I hope you are paying attention and can do something 
like this in the future.

Sandra Johnson
-----Original Message----- 
From: Mary Donahue via blindtlk
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:35 PM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
Cc: Mary Donahue
Subject: [Blindtlk] Beyond Responsibility

Hello Danielle, and everyone,

It's a hands-down feeling that guide dog users need to be
responsible for the care and welfare of their dogs. That is well understood;
no argument from here! What is the problem is the lack of resources and
information available from guide dog training schools to assist their
graduates in fulfilling their responsibilities as guide dog owners.

You can go to Websites like the NFB's national site and find various
resources related to different aspects of blindness. If you need books
transcribed into Braille or want to learn Braille you can "Shop" the NFB's
Website for various Braille production and learning resources. It's your
responsibility to decide which of these will best meet your needs. Likewise
if you wish to receive adjustment to blindness training the NFB's Website
contains numerous links to the NFB training centers and other such centers a
blind person can use as a "Jumping off point" to find the best programs that
will meet their needs.

Nothing like what I described above exists for guide dog users
beyond listings of guide dog training schools and archives of guide dog
access regulations. In addition to the guide dog schools perhaps NAGDU
should consider creating a resource database on its Website and mobile app
of various agencies and organizations that provide products and services to
guide dog users. Assistance with veterinary bills, possible sources for
locating retirement homes for dogs one is no longer able to keep, products
guide dog users may find useful, etc. There are veterinary clinnics that
provide free or low-cost care to owners of guide and other service dogs. How
is a guide dog user able to avail themselves of such a service if they don't
know it exists?! Here is where guide dog schools and organizations like
NAGDU can help to fill this void by creating comprehensive resource listings
of such products and services from which guide dog users can select
depending on their needs. As graduates learn of such resources in their
communities the contact information for such entities could be submitted for
inclusion in such a database. Similar resources exist all over the Internet
related to other aspects of blindness. It's time a similar resource be
created to help guide dog users find the resources they need to assist them
in fulfilling their responsibility to their dogsand the guide dog movement.

Peter Donahue

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Danielle
Ledet via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, January 23, 2017 10:14 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Danielle Ledet
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Please Help a Friend and Fellow Grad/Handler If you
Can!

Now Peter I agree with you there. Unfortunately, I can not be on the call
this time around. I sure wish someone else would bring up those issues. How
do yall know when the Conference calls are coming up? I am on the mailing
list for them, but do not get any such notifications, other than from other
grads. Liz, she did ask them for financial assistance but she said nothing
was forthcoming, not sure about a vet consult which I did ask if she had
asked for. Another question.

Is it just me? I have noticed over the last 7 or so years that GDB seems to
be moving up in terms of graduate recruits and membership.
Could it be that this is because they offer not only a free dog, but a
yearly vet stipend? I notice they have a greater population of African
American grads as well and, culturally, this is why. Personally, I am aged
and angered by this for my own reasons which I know to be true, and which I
will not discussed here! Sure there are other schools offering free dogs,
but not many offer ongoing monetary support I believe this is a large draw,
but I also feel there is some behind-the-scenes recruiting going on. Keep in
mind, I never said I wouldn't ever go to GDB, but I don't like under the
tablebusiness.
Given tight finances, this is quite attractive. However, the pioneer is
being overthrown. James, I was not able to financially support her either so
do not feel bad.

On 1/23/17, Elizabeth Campbell via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Mary and others on this list.
>
> As Seeing Eye graduates, we are granted ownership of our dogs upon
> completion of our training. I believe it is my responsibility to plan
> for my dog's medical expenses as well as for retirement.
> I am very fortunate that I can keep my retired guide since I am a
> homeowner and have good neighbors to help walk him and so forth.
>
> I know there are circumstances where it isn't possible to keep our
> retired guides, but I also believe it is our responsibility to do our
> own research and vetting in terms of finding friends or others who are
> willing to give our dogs wonderful homes when they can no longer work.
> Rescue groups are fine organizations, but their primary
> responsibilities involve finding homes for dogs that have been abused
> or that were found roaming the streets, so to speak.
> I don't think we should be asking the school for this type of assistance.
>
> Best regards
>
> Liz
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary
> Donahue via blindtlk
> Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2017 8:01 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List' <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Mary Donahue <braille at satx.rr.com>
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Please Help a Friend and Fellow Grad/Handler
> If you Can!
>
> Good evening everyone,
>
> I sent a scathing message to SE last week concerning support for
> graduates retiring their dogs and for finding area resources to help
> with this and veterinary issues such as those your friend is facing.
> They need to partner with area breed clubs and rescue groups to assist
> graduates with such issues. Fortunately one of my wife's co-workers is
> helping us take care of some issues concerning Johnny. Se is holding a
> graduate phone conference later this week. We need to let them know
> that such support is needed and they need to do something about it so
> graduates in need can insure that their dogs receive the best
> veterinary care possible and can find suitable retirement homes for
> dogs no longer able to work.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Danielle Ledet via blindtlk
> Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2017 11:40 AM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org; acb-l at acblists.org; blindtlk at nfbnet.org;
> GduiChatList at guidedogusersinc.org
> Cc: Danielle Ledet
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Please Help a Friend and Fellow Grad/Handler If
> you Can!
>
> Hello Listers,
>
> I have a friend and fellow TSE grad who is experiencing a health
> crisis with her dog. Her dog has a medical condition causing her to
> have difficulty walking and urinating issues. She also asks about
> doggie diapers, what to buy? See the link below to her GoFundMe page
> and do help if you can.
> On behalf of Irena and Darla, thank you!
>
> https://www.gofundme.com/save-my-seeing-eye-dog-darla
> --
> How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and
> tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will
> have been all of these.
> George Washington Carver
> Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com
>
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--
How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young,
compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of
the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of
these.
George Washington Carver
Email: singingmywayin at gmail.com

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