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

Mon Mar 8 20:37:35 UTC 2021

Hello Peter and all,

My heart was saddened when I was reading about this issue yesterday afternoon. I, too, believe that blind lives matter. Guide dog handlers and consumers should be given the same rights as their sighted counterparts. Organizations such as the American Council Of The Blind and the National Federation Of The Blind should create a task force specifically to deal with this issue.

Roanna Bacchus

On Mar 8, 2021 3:24 PM, Peter Donahue via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
Hello Sherry and everyone,

Both organizations of the blind have had sorry responses to addressing this issue. The NFB was making headway for a while but it seems like we've lost ground. If we can picket NAC, the DOT, the FAA, and others  for how they treated the blind perhaps it's time our guide dog schools had unwanted visits from us with the press and media in tow particularly after these incidents occurs to start a national conversation to force these outfits to realize that the guide dog's owner also has rights as well as does the dog. What happened to our constitution particularly where it says that "A man is presumed innocent until proven guilty?"The same yardstick must be used when addressing alleged guide dog abuse by the blind.

        Mary and I are really getting tired of hearing about these situations and observing the organization's lack of aggressive action to combat the abuse of guide dog handlers by many of our guide dog programs. This, must, stop!! Suggestions have been made as to possible courses of action. It's time to clean these outfits up or shut them down and create new guide dog programs that respect the rights of both dogs and their blind owners.

Peter and Mary Donahue who believe that "Blind Lives Matter!"

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindTlk <blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sherry Gomes via BlindTlk
Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 11:47 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sherry Gomes <sherry.gomes at outlook.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindTlk] a Message from a Sighted Federationist was Southeastern at it Again!

That's definitely changed. You don't get ownership for at least a year, and before they and I parted company for good, they changed their ownership contract so it's just like their non ownership contract and say they can take your dog away for darn near anything. Even if you have surgery or are ill for an extended period. GDB never gave outright ownership from the start.

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindTlk <blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Judy Jones via BlindTlk
Sent: Monday, March 8, 2021 10:26 AM
To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List' <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Judy Jones <sonshines59 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindTlk] a Message from a Sighted Federationist was Southeastern at it Again!

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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