[nagdu] being reported to your school

[Bob Hicks]

Hi guys.  I went through this hassle with my first partner, Nicholas.  We 
were in Morgantown and WVU was starting the fall semester.  I was there to 
pick up an Opticon(yes, that long ago!)  At lunch, a lady introduced herself 
as someone from my home town and a member of an international civic 
organization.  When we left the restaurant, the sidewalks were extremely 
crowded and I decided to heal Nicholas and travel sighted-guide.  It was my 
decision and Leader Dogs had told me that in such situations, only I would 
know how best to handle the situation.  I mean, people were 4 and 5 across 
and not paying much attention to where they were walking(1979 was a long 
time ago).  It wasn't that we couldn't work our way through, it was just 
much simpler to heal.  A week or so later, a friend shows up at my door and 
asks to talk to me about how Nicholas was working out.  Unbeknownst to me, 
the woman had followed us out of the restaurant and reported to Leader that 
my dog obviously needed more training.  I was devastated and my friend knew 
I would be.  As a matter of fact, I was mad as hell.  I called Leader and 
told them that I was not about to have my decisions questioned by every 
member of that particular organization.   Leader said not to worry , that I 
had done the right thing and the lady in question thought she was doing the 
same.  I wish they hadn't defended the lady, but that was the end of it. 
Funny now, but I did worry about who was watching us.  Amos and I, frankly 
don't give a damn!

Best regards,

Bob Hicks
Access Technology Specialist
Seeing Hand Association, Inc.
304-232-4810
<bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] being reported to your school


> As an owner trainer I am always fascinated by the phenomena of being 
> reported or reporting to the schools various perceived indiscretions of 
> guide dog use and abuse.  Certainly I agree that there are horrible cases 
> of abuse out there, but what I hear about 99% of the time are cases that 
> involve lack of facts, lack of knowledge of guide dogs, revenge or just 
> plain medaling.
>
> I honestly do not understand the whole concept of reports to the school. 
> Why is that people will report to the school but rarely to local police or 
> animal enforcement agencies?  Why is it that people will rarely just go 
> directly to the blind guide dog handler and ask what's going on?
>
> I truly believe that if we want change to occur at the guide dog programs 
> it has to begin with us.  I think calling the programs and making reports, 
> even legitimate ones, perpetuates the programs custodial attitudes.  Why 
> not instead work with local law enforcement to address the situation?  Why 
> not instead directly confront the person about their behavior with their 
> guide dog?  Instead of offering judgment why not try some attempt at 
> understanding?
>
> If I am missing something obvious here, please tell me.  I really would 
> like to understand this.
>
> Julie
>
>
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