[nagdu] a couple questions

Wed Dec 8 16:09:16 UTC 2010

For many people, ownership of the dog is a very big deal. There have been 
stories of schools deciding to take a dog away from its handler for less 
than legitimate reasons. Also, when it comes to the health and/or retirement 
of your dog, you have much more say if you own the dog, than if you simply 
have custody of it. Obviously, not all schools abuse their power of 
ownership, but the point is that it can happen, and, if this is a concern of 
a perspective handler, then a school that grants ownership immediately would 
be the place to go.

When I got my first dog in 1997, I did not own her. GDF was very, very 
supportive of me, even through her siezure disorder. They did not insist 
that I retire her, although they did recommend it. When the time for 
retirement did come, they strongly advised against keeping her, but, when I 
made it clear that I planned to do it, they didn't argue with me. So, I was 
very lucky.

When I returned to the school in 2005, I got to choose whether I wanted 
ownership or custody of Caroline. I chose ownership. My relationship with 
the foundation hasn't changed. Again, I am lucky.

I don't know what experience you've had with ownership, but, just because it 
doesn't seem important to you, it's very important to an awful lot of 
people, each of whom has his or her own reasons for this concern.

Shannon and Caroline
Are you a fan of women's music? If so, join me, each Wednesday evening from 
7-10 eastern, for The Eclectic Collection: a Celebration of Women In Music. 
Point your media player to:
http://mojoradio.us:9090
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jordan Gallacher" <jgallacher1987 at gmail.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 10:09 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a couple questions

> Who owns the dog should not be something that is a big deal.  For that
> matter, the quality of the training and the quality of the dogs should 
> come
> first.
> Jordan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Marion Gwizdala
> Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 2:53 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] a couple questions
>
> Terra,
>    One thing I strongly suggest is that consumers review the ownership
> policies of the training programs they are considering. Leader does not 
> give
>
> ownership upon graduation. During the past year I have had at least four
> consumers who have contacted me telling me that Leader has either
> repossessed their dog or have threatened to do so. Both the Guide Dog
> Foundation for the Blind and The Seeing Eye, as well as some other 
> programs,
>
> transfer ownership upon completion of training.
>
> 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
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Terra Syslo" <tlsyslo at yahoo.com>
> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 06, 2010 12:44 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] a couple questions
>
>
>> Hi. I am in the process to start applying to guide dog schools, and I
>> think
>> I have it narrowed down to 2 or 3 schools I'm looking at. Can anyone give
>> me
>> some information as to your experiences with Leader Dogs for the Blind?
>> I'm
>> also considering GDF and maybe Seeing Eye. Thanks for any info.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
>>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/blind411%40verizon.ne
> t
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/jgallacher1987%40gmai
> l.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/solsticesinger%40gmail.com 