[humanser] hospitals & dog guides

[Merry Schoch]

Hi JD,

Thanks for your post.  As a MSW student, I am currently trying to get a 
placement for my field experience.  I, actually, used some of your 
experience and shared with the professor who interviewed me at USF how your 
guide dog was accepted at your facility.  Thanks for paving the way.

Although, I have shared positive information, I am in hopes that my 
placement is not hindered because of my use of a guide dog. I know I have 
the best support needed with the NAGDU President; however, I would rather it 
not go that far.  To be in an MSW program and have to worry about such 
incidences is quite peculiar to me.

Always great to hear from you!
Merry and new guide dog Kappie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JD TOWNSEND" <43210 at Bellsouth.net>
To: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 8:17 AM
Subject: [humanser] hospitals & dog guides


>
> Hi List:
>
> I work in a hospital and, in the past, have needed to visit hospitals in 
> the course of my work as a social worker.  I travel with a dog guide or a 
> long white cane, depending on the situation.  Many years ago I went with 
> my dog guide to visit a patient in the psychiatric unit at a local 
> hospital and was denied access to the unit due to the dog guide.  With 
> some local NFB intervention the matter was resolved and I now work at that 
> hospital, although in another unit.  That unit is the child & adolescent 
> psychiatric unit and my dog guide is quite popular with staff and patients 
> alike.
>
> My friend, Marion Gwizdala, the President of the NFB Dog Guide Division, 
> wrote about an upcoming seminar by that division on the rights of dog 
> guide users as patients, but I was wondering from this list if others in 
> the field have had difficulties such as my incident?
>
> Below is a copy of the NAGDU message:
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
>
>
> October 27, 2009
>
>
>
> Guide Dogs in Hospitals & Other Health Care Facilities
>
>
>
>            What are your rights as a guide dog user when visiting family 
> or friends in the hospital? As a patient, do you have the right to have 
> your dog in the room with you? Are there places or conditions in which you 
> can be restricted from being accompanied by your guide dog? Can your 
> doctor deny you the right to have your guide dog with you in an 
> examination room? Can an ambulance refuse to transport your guide dog with 
> you? These questions and many more will be answered in an upcoming 
> special teleseminar.
>
>            The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), a strong 
> and proud division of the National Federation of the Blind, will host 
> "Guide Dogs in Hospitals & Other Health Care Facilities" on Sunday, 
> November 22, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. eastern  standard Time (7:00 pm Central; 
> 6:00 pm Mountain; and 5:00 pm Pacific). This teleseminar is absolutely 
> free; however reservations are required. Participation is limited and is 
> on a first come first served basis.
>
>            In order to reserve your space in this teleseminar, please send 
> your name, city & state, and your email address by Friday, November 20, 
> 2009 to
>
> President at NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>
> An email confirmation with the call-in number and access codes will be 
> sent to you. Those without email access or who would like more information 
> may call 813-626-2789.
>
>            The information provided during this teleseminar is intended as 
> informal guidance only and should not be construed as legal advice. The 
> National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the 
> Blind, or any of its affiliates, divisions, or chapters will not be 
> responsible for any telephone charges or fees that may be incurred as the 
> result of participation in this seminar. For more information about the 
> National Association of Guide Dog Users, the National Federation of the 
> Blind, or to locate a Chapter in your area, you may visit the following 
> websites:
>
>
>
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>
> HTTP://NFB-NAGDU.ORG
>
>
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> HTTP://NFB.ORG
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind is changing what it means to be 
> blind!
>
> JD Townsend, LCSW
> Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System
> Helping the light dependent to see.
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