[nagdu] Another Reason for Having Your Own Harness

[Buddy Brannan]

Maybe Marion can't say which school this is, for fear of his comments (as NaGDU president) being misconstrued or taken out of context or somehow implying that NAGDU has a specific school endorsement or, I guess, endorsing not going there. I, however, am under no such restriction. Th school that he's speaking of, in this particular instance, is Leader. Leader's ownership policy used to be ownership transfer upon graduation as I recall, but they changed it, citing Craig what's his name who kicked his dog to death and, one presumes, other issues, as the impetus for the change. The change was to a two-year period of school ownership, after which ownership could be requested by the graduate. 
--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY



On Aug 20, 2010, at 1:30 AM, Mark J. Cadigan wrote:

> What school are you referring to? I have herd references to this school from several people, but I can't figure out what school it is. Or are there several schools doing this kind of stuff. Saying the name of the school will not call down the fury of the guide dog police.
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2010 1:15 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Another Reason for Having Your Own Harness
> 
> 
>> dear All,
>>   Another very important reason for having your own harness is that the school retains ownership of the gear. Now, most schools will not arbitrarily reclaim their harnesses, but I have heard of a few people from one particular school that did do such a thing and without just cause. Since each of these people owned their dogs, the school could not take possession of the dogs, but did repossess the harnesses. In one instance, the school actually went so far as to go to the local police department and assert that the dogs were no longer "certified guide dogs" and, as such, had no rights of access. Fortunately, the police knew better and advised the trainer of that, letting him know they would protect the blind person's legal rights, if needed. This particular school has since changed its ownership policy and now has demonstrated that they are willing to repossess dogs without cause and without due process!
>>   BTW, in one specific case, the school could not repossess the dog because, at that time,  the individual had ownership and the local animal control, while making an unannounced visit, found no evidence of abuse or neglect. In fact, the official report said there was plenty of food in the house, fresh water on the floor, and the dog's nails were painted! When I spoke with the investigator, he said, "The dog was certainly neither abused nor neglected; however, the trainer was certainly abusive to the individual!"
>> 
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> National Federation of the Blind
>> 813-626-2789
>> President at NAGDU.ORG
>> HTTP://NAGDU.ORG
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> 
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