[nagdu] PETA Response

[Kolby Garrison]

Here is my response to PETA's propaganda. I tried to be both thorough and
diplomatic in my writing, and it felt good to express myself on this issue.
PETA claims that the relationship between dog and human should be one of
mutual respect, and my relationship with my Guide Dog is exactly that. We
share an equal partnership, 50% work on her part and 50% work on my part. I
work with her and she works with me; I make mistakes and she makes mistakes;
I have bad days, she has bad days, and We have bad days simultaneously; I
have my faults and she has her faults; however the love and respect that I
have for her and the love and respect that she has for me are the recipe for
the partnership that we have. The success that enables us to be the team
that we are.
PETA feels that Guide Dog facilities should rescue dogs from animal shelters
over breeding dogs because breeding contributes to the over population of
animals. Guide Dogs are bred because specific traits are necessary for guide
work. Guide Dog facilities do not rescue dogs from animal shelters because
the dog's history is often not known. It is true that people who train their
own Guide Dogs may choose to get the dog from a breeder or an animal
shelter. I am for rescuing dogs from animal shelters, and giving them homes
to live in or jobs to do if applicable. At the same time I understand and
prefer the reasons that Guide Dog facilities breed their dogs. Guide Dogs
are bred for physical stability, mental stability, and so on. For the dogs
who are not suited for guide work, the list of other jobs that they can do
to help people is endless. Hearing dogs, mobility dogs, therapy dogs, drug
dogs, bomb dogs, search dogs, rescue dogs, pets, ETC.
PETA states that humans should replace animals that assist people with
disabilities, but what PETA does not understand is that people with
disabilities do not want to have to rely on other people to be able to live
their lives. The majority of people with disabilities want their
independence. People with disabilities are people 1st. The disability is a
characteristic. A characteristic that can certainly present challenges to
work through, but people with disabilities work through the challenges that
their disabilities present day by day. I do not want to have to rely on
someone to do what I can do for myself with the help of my Guide Dog. My
dignity and independence are very important to me. I will ask for assistance
if I need it, but I want to be as independent as I can be. Partnering with
Guide Dogs affords me greater independence than using the cane. Please do
not misunderstand the above statement however. Blind people who use the cane
as their primary mobility aid can be as independent as blind people who work
with Guide Dogs. My personal preference is working with Guide Dogs rather
than using the cane.
PETA is opposed to the transitions that the Guide Dog goes through. The
Guide Dog goes from its canine mother to its puppy raiser, from its puppy
raiser to its trainer, from its trainer to its blind handler, and from its
blind handler to its retirement. PETA feels that the transitions that Guide
Dogs go through are difficult on the dog, and this statement holds part
truth. What PETA does not understand is that every person who is involved in
the life of every Guide Dog makes sure that the transitions are as easy as
possible for the dog
PETA states that blind people cannot care for their Guide Dogs because they
cannot tell when the dog is ill or hurt due to not being able to see the
dog. Because blind people and their Guide Dogs are together 24/7, they are
very aware of even the smallest change in the behavior of their dog. Their
senses of hearing, smell, and touch are very acute.
PETA claims that Guide Dogs are kept in harness nearly 24/7, but this claim
is false. The Guide Dog is only in harness when it is working. When the
Guide Dog is not working it is free to be a dog.
PETA says that people are prohibited from interacting with the Guide Dog
while it is working. The reason for this is that the Guide Dog must
concentrate on its work, and any distraction can be a danger to the dog and
the handler.
PETA wants Guide Dogs to interact with other dogs. Blind people make sure
that their dogs are able to interact with people and dogs if applicable.
Some Guide Dog handlers do not want their dogs to interact with other dogs,
and some Guide Dog handlers want their dogs to interact with other dogs. The
decision is a personal preference.
PETA states that Guide Dogs are forgotten when they retire, but that is not
the case at all. Some blind people keep their retired Guide Dog with them
until the end of the dog's life, some blind people give their retired Guide
Dog to a friend or family member, and some blind people give their retired
Guide Dog back to the Guide Dog facility. Guide Dog facilities let the blind
person decide what works best for them and their retired Guide Dog. I will
give my Guide Dog to a friend or family member when she retires. I will have
the best of both worlds because I will be able to see her and work with my
new Guide Dog.
I am a totally blind College student, working with my 1st Guide Dog Sunny.
She is a 5 year old female Golden Retriever, and she has without a doubt
changed my life for the better. Her love for her work and for me shows when
I pick up her leash or her harness, evident by her dancing paws and wagging
tail. She is ready to go anywhere and do anything at anytime. The
independence, confidence, and grace that I feel while traveling with my
Guide Dog at my side is difficult to describe in words, though I have been
told that all you need do is look at my face when my Guide Dog and I are
working and you will understand. When we are not out and about, you can find
me playing with her and loving on her. Other people also play with her and
love on her, and other dogs play with her when opportunities arise. We share
a bond that knows no boundaries. I do not let people interact with her when
she is working, because interaction even be it with the best intentions can
place Sunny and myself in danger. I care for Sunny to the best of my
ability, and I am fortunate that I have sighted people around of whom I can
ask questions if I feel that something is off kilter with her. I feed her a
good quality dog food, groom her and play with her every day, and she goes
everywhere with me unless I feel that where it is that I am going is not
suitable for her to accompany me. She interacts with people and dogs, she is
healthy and she loves life, and her energy and enthusiasm are endless. I
will not ever use the cane as my primary mobility aid again, because
partnering with Guide Dogs is 100% for me!
Thank You,
Kolby