[nagdu] The Response I received from PETA

[MS S TILLETT]

There is another article against assistance dogs in todays NY Times in the magazine section.  I think this whole PETA thing has sure set off a lot of negativity about service dogs.  It boggles the mind.  

Sue, and Wonder 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Merry Schoch 
  To: nagdu at nfbnet.org 
  Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:29 PM
  Subject: [nagdu] The Response I received from PETA


  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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