[nagdu] The Response I received from PETA

[helene ryles]

Wayne:

I think they mean that we all need looking after if we don't have our
dogs to do it for us. Sigh.  I guess this is just another myth about
how blindness makes us incapable. I guess we still have a lot of work
to do.

Helene.

On 15/01/2009, wcmerritt at gmail.com <wcmerritt at gmail.com> wrote:
> Out of curiosity, what exactly is a "human assistance program?" What
> humans are trained for what tasks? Does this mean that my everyday
> sighted guide needs to go through this program in order to guide me
> effectively? Hmm. And, how do these "human assistance programs" fit
> into PETA's jurrisdiction?
>
> Wayne
>
> On 1/15/09, Merry Schoch <merrys at verizon.net> wrote:
>> Here is the response I received PETA:
>>
>> Dear Ms. Schoch,
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you for your e-mail. Please allow me to respond on behalf of Ms.
>> Nachminovitch. We appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts with
>> us about Ms. Nachminovitch's comments on the Los Angeles Times "Unleashed"
>> blog, and we apologize sincerely for any offense this interview may have
>> caused.
>>
>>
>>
>> What we wished to communicate in this interview was that dogs, guide dogs
>> or
>> not, are affectionate animals who crave contact, play, and love from their
>> human families, and we encourage their guardians to give it to them and
>> make
>> the best choices they can when considering bringing an animal into their
>> home.
>>
>>
>>
>> It is our hope that guide dog guardians (as well as anyone who cares for a
>> dog) do provide only the best care, and make every effort to keep their
>> dogs
>> even after their "retirement.' It is encouraging to hear that both of your
>> dogs will have a home with you forever. We understand that it is
>> impossible
>> for some people to keep more than one animal, whether for assistance
>> purposes or not, due to rental companies' and landlords' arbitrary (and
>> often discriminatory) policies. We often hear from people whose living
>> situations leave them unable to accommodate their beloved animal
>> companions,
>> and our hearts go out to them.
>>
>>
>>
>> To clarify, we do not campaign against using guide dogs, but we do answer
>> honestly when asked our stance on them. We encourage alternatives to using
>> animals, and feel that human assistance programs are more appropriate than
>> trained animals for helping people who have disabilities. Please know that
>> we hold no animosity toward people who opt to work with assistance dogs.
>> We
>> know that most people who make this choice genuinely love their dogs and
>> give them only the best care.
>>
>>
>>
>> As an animal rights group, however, we cannot remain silent when there is
>> even the smallest chance for an animal to suffer-to do so would be a
>> betrayal of our members and a disservice to the animals we strive to
>> protect.
>>
>>
>>
>> Thank you again for your letter and for the opportunity to address your
>> concerns. We appreciate your feedback.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>>
>>
>> Heidi Parker
>> Mail Coordinator
>> The PETA Foundation
>> http://www.PETA.org
>>
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> From: Merry Schoch [mailto:merrys at verizon.net]
>> Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:10 PM
>> To: Daphna Nachminovitch
>> Cc: nagdu-request at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: L.A. Times Blog Post - PETA
>>
>>
>>
>> Ms. Nachminovitch,
>>
>>
>>
>> Your comments on the Los Angeles Times blog L.A. Unleashed is full of
>> myths
>> and misconceptions.  It is unfortunate that you have such views, and I am
>> curious how such ideas have been created for you to promulgate such myths.
>> I am hoping that individuals who read this blog do not buy into these
>> untruths.  I find you comments very offensive; however, ignorance and lack
>> of experience of certain situations can cause one to promulgate such
>> atrocities.
>>
>>
>>
>> I  have not only been a puppyraiser I am also a guide dog user.  My first
>> guide is 12 years old, and he will be with me until he expires.  He lives
>> with two other dogs, and when he was working he had many hours in the day
>> in
>> which to play and relax.  One of his playmates belong to my husband, and
>> she
>> is a guide dog as well.  She will be 12 years old in a few months and will
>> also be with us until her life has ended.  Some individuals may not be as
>> fortunate as us by being able to keep their retired dogs, but these
>> individuals do not need to be bashed when they are giving up a guide that
>> they have loved for many years.
>>
>>
>>
>> I invite you to visit guide dog users and guide dog schools from across
>> this
>> nation.  We will meet in Detroit in July.  Please go to www.nfb.org and
>> find
>> details regarding our national convention.  You will learn so much about
>> guide dog schools, the dogs, and the users.  Most of all, you will learn
>> the
>> immense capabilities of the blind regardless of the mobility tools they
>> choose.
>>
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Merry Schoch
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
> --
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>
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