[nagdu] occupaws ownership policy

[Marion & Martin]

Allison,
    I am of the opinion that the assertion of "liability" is a irrational 
concern that only justifies the paternalistic, custodial policy of 
ownership. The Seeing Eye has been doing business for 80 years, giving 
ownership since their inception. Would you not think that, if liability were 
an issue, they would have had that issue arise? A school can make any 
assertions they want about liability and reasons for retaining ownership. If 
they are not substantiated by objective, valid, reliable evidence, the 
assertions have no support!

Fraternally,
Marion Gwizdala


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allison Nastoff" <anastoff at wi.rr.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 10:20 PM
Subject: [nagdu] occupaws ownership policy


> Hi List,
> I have been reading your discussion about ownership policies at the 
> various schools, but I have a different perspective.
> I received my dog from Occupaws, and the policy at Occupaws is that they 
> technically own the dog until he is retired.  My trainer said the reason 
> for this policy was liability.  While it is rare, unfortunately some 
> people do mistreat their dogs, or do not make wise judgements about when 
> it is time to retire them, and the decision of Occupaws to maintain 
> ownership of the dog is simply a precaution.  At first when I learned of 
> this policy, I was disappointed.  But I soon realized that while Occupaws 
> has legal ownership of him, in every other regard, he is my dog.  Occupaws 
> has contacted me every couple of months to make sure things are working 
> out, but they have never interfered in any way.
> Personally, I support this precautionary measure.  In the rare case that a 
> dog is mistreated, it would not be fair to the dog, or to another handler 
> who would appreciate this dog and take good care of him, if the school 
> gave full ownership to a handler, and then was powerless to reclaim the 
> dog from a handler if it came to the school's attention that there is a 
> problem.
> I realize that some of you will be furious with me for saying this, but it 
> is my personal opinion.  The fact that I technically don't own my dog has 
> not prevented me from bonding with him, or interfered with our work as a 
> team.  I think that legal ownership is just a technicality, and that 
> emotional ownership is what really matters.
> Allison and Gilbert
>
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