[BlindTlk] a Message from a Sighted Federationist was Southeastern at it Again!

Mon Mar 8 17:25:51 UTC 2021

I've gotten all my dogs at GDB, and as part of your exit, you are given the choice to either own or have GDB retain ownership of the dog.  

This may have changed with GDB, as I was last there in 2004.

But my questions would be, w is Southeastern's responsibility of notifying a user?  Do they send notices of concern before actually showing up at the door?  I can't imagine they would spend time and money sending someone in person, unannounced, without making sure the person is going to be at home and not on vacation, or otherwise absent.

My second point is that Southeastern, in the event of suspected overweight, should come up with numbers that can be documented, that should be corroborated  with the current vet ahead of the visit.

Saying the dog "looks" overweight does not constitute documentation.  

Where is the paper trail to justify jerking the dog?

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindTlk <blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala, via BlindTlk
Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 6:44 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>; blindtlk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Marion Gwizdala, <blind411 at verizon.net>
Subject: [BlindTlk] a Message from a Sighted Federationist was Southeastern at it Again!

Dear All,

                Before forwarding the below message, I asked the writer for her permission to do so. Her reply and the original message follows.

Marion Gwizdala

This situation is deplorable.   Please feel free to use 

anything I write. 

Warm regards to you and Merry 

Arlene M. Naulty 

While this is an example of over reach, it also exposes the

person with no vision or low vision to danger and emotional

damage.   Pulling a guide dog without notice or preparation

is beyond the pale.  It is inhumane and damaging for all 

parties involved.  This is clearly a matter for the Affiliate 

and/or our National Office.   Has that been done? 

Our membership should be informed....so they understand

and can share this information.

It looks like Southeastern has a contractual clause that they

never release ownership.   If that is the case, it leaves the 

door open for the guide dog to be pulled from the "owner"

Obviously, there are other guide dog folks with Southeastern

guide dogs.  This is an incredible exposure for "repeat

performances"  A protection plan needs implementation.  

Notwithstanding the emotional trauma for the blind or low

vision citizen and the guide dog....this requires immediate 

attention and involvement.

Joe and I received the initial detailed report from Marion which

was forwarded to us by Camille just 36 hours ago.   The matter

requires meaningful action.    Where does the Affiliate and the 

Chapter stand on this?  It sets forth an immediate need to warn

those involved so they can protect their guide dogs and 

themselves.    The confiscated guide dogs must be returned 

without delay.

How awful ! ! !

Arlene Naulty

-----Original Message-----
From: Joyce Taylor <dr.joycetaylor56 at gmail.com <mailto:dr.joycetaylor56 at gmail.com> >
To: amnaulty at aol.com <mailto:amnaulty at aol.com> ; Joe Naulty <jnaulty at cfl.rr.com <mailto:jnaulty at cfl.rr.com> >
Sent: Sun, Mar 7, 2021 11:23 am
Subject: FW: [NFBF-Leaders] Southeastern at it Again!

From: NFBF-Leaders <nfbf-leaders-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-leaders-bounces at nfbnet.org> > On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala via NFBF-Leaders
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2021 7:57 PM
To: NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> >; NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-l at nfbnet.org> >; nfbf-leaders at nfbnet.org <mailto:nfbf-leaders at nfbnet.org> ; flagdu at nfbnet.org <mailto:flagdu at nfbnet.org> 
Cc: Marion Gwizdala <marion.gwizdala at verizon.net <mailto:marion.gwizdala at verizon.net> >
Subject: [NFBF-Leaders] Southeastern at it Again!

                On Thursday, march 4, Deanna Miller, one of Southeastern Guide Dogs Field Representatives made an unannounced visit to the home of Rev. Susan Blake, an Episcopal priest for the diocese of Orlando, Florida. They demanded to see her dog. When Rev. Blake let her in, the representative stated her guide dog “looked about four pounds overweight” and they were removing it. Southeastern’s contract allows them to repossess a dog for abuse, defined by this contract as being overweight. They also told her they had contacted her veterinarian and was told they had not seen the dog since 2018. The representative also stated that this vet said she was behind on her rabies vaccination. Rev. Blake attempted to explain that she had changed vets and her dog was seen by her current vet about one month earlier for a physical and vaccinations. Rev. Blake also attempted to explain that when she saw her current vet, he did not want to give her a vaccination because the dog had an ear infection. Once the infection was cleared, the dog would be vaccinated. Ms. Miller would hear none of it, obviously intent on the repossession. Ms. Miller pulled the leash from Rev. Blake’s hands, loaded her dog into the vehicle, took the leash off of the dog, and handed it back to her, driving off with her guide dog. Rev.Blake was left in her driveway with an empty leash in her hand!

                In less than one year this is the second instance I know about in which Southeastern has removed a dog because they believed it was overweight, without objective evidence, without warning, and without due process. This sort of abuse of guide dog consumers must stop and the National Federation of the Blind needs to step up and do something about this!

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala

Marion Gwizdala

(813) 626-2789

Blind411 at verizon.net <mailto:Blind411 at verizon.net> 

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