[nagdu] Why people don't criticize schools

Tue Aug 24 16:06:57 UTC 2010

I am also a two time Leader Dog grad. Honestly, I am more hurt that they
didn't acknollege the passing of my first Leader Dog Cayenne, then I am
about the lack of ownership policy. 
I have mixed feelings about the lack of ownership. Many jurisdictions
have laws in place stating what a person can and cannot do with a pet
dog.  II don't know if we asa society are watering down what "ownership"
means.  Since people like to compare guide dogs and children o this
list, I'll use my daughter as an example. I am her mother, and in theory
this gives me a lot. It also means that there are things I cannot do. I
cannot leave her alone ever. I must ensure that if I leave her, I
provide competent childcare on my behalf.  I must provide her with
appropriate medical attention.  I must pay for said medical attention.
I cannot transport her in a car without a carseat.  I cannot send her
out to earn a living.  Contrast this to the 1930's when carseats had not
been invented, and if my grandpa is to be believed, young children did
go out and earna living, in theory to support their families. I must
also provide my daughter with an education, either by teaching her
myself, or making sure she gets her little butt to school. This is a
fairly recent historical development. 

Given the laws we have in place for children, a part of me does wonder
if ownership will at one time become meaningless with regard to dogs. I
have heard of groups that want to change the terminology from "owner" to
"guardian" like we do with people. This would mean that a person's right
to do things to a dog they own would be severely limited. 
No matter my ambivalence on ownership, I do know that there is some real
pain regarding Leader Dogs lack of acknollegement about Cayenne's
passing.  I received more love and support from people that didn't even
know Cayenne then I did from the organization that trained her. For
those wondering what Leader Dogs said or did, the answer is absolutely
nothing. 
I don't know if this will impact where I get a successor dog.It might,
or it might not.  I do like that Leader Dogs was very supportive when I
retired Jersey my second Leader Dog.  I think ttheir cane classes are a
great option for people that need a fast competent course in how to use
a cane.  I am glad that the Trekker program exists. I absolutely loved
some of the trainers and other staff.  
I guess with all things, you have to take the good with the bad, and
what makes or breaks a deal is highly subjective. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:48 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Why people don't criticize schools

Steve,

Thanks for that.  I've heard a bunch of negative experiences from Leader
over the past couple of years, so it's easy to forget the people with
good
experiences.  I am glad to hear they are working to improve their
program.
I read a book about a Leader dog back in junior high (Follow My Leader,
as I
recall) so have been sad to hear negative things about the program...

Thanks for adding balance!

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf
Of Steve Johnson
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2010 4:37 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Why people don't criticize schools

Tracy, 

I commend you on this post.  I am a proud Leader Dog handler, and
sometimes
feel frustrated with the posts about LD.  What people do not know is
that LD
is doing a lot to change policies, their training, and so much more.  A
lot
of what I read is pure speculation from those who have never been there;
possibly only from fielding frustrations from handlers who are having
some
degree of issue.  I don't even want to speculate on that as it is not my
place, and do respect how each individual feels about their allegiance
to
their school. If someone wants to ask me about LD and the cool changes
that
have been recently implemented, great, but please don't assume anything
about a particular agency people as it does sometimes indeed make you
look
like an ass.  If I respect you, then I would expect you to reciprocate
that
same sentiment toward me.

JMHO,
Steve

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