[nagdu] Why people don't criticize schools

Tue Aug 24 23:56:46 UTC 2010

Rebecca,

Your points, as AnnaLisa just noted, are well stated.  I too have had a
concern with the ownership policy, and have even posted it on our listserv
as well as addressed to administration.  That's all I can do as I have not
had a bad experience with my 3 guides through LD to this point.  Some things
I may have internalized, but easily rectified through communicating.  

I am so sorry to hear about the non-acknowledgement of your first guide, and
if I recall, that happened to me with my first as well. However, most do not
know, but on August 12, my Ripley passed away after a very brief illness
most likely a tumor.  Leader was extremely supportive, and I not only
received the same things that AnnaLisa received including the CD story, a
beautiful card and booklet on loss and grieving, but also some wonderful
emails from staff at LD.  Ripley was a wonderful dog, and I miss him dearly,
and the support and acknowledgement you receive from others is so important
in helping one to move on.  

Thanks so much for sharing,

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:07 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Why people don't criticize schools

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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