[nagdu] dog ownership policies

[Brenda]

Marion, When you do  your survey, are you going to ask the schools who 
do not let the handler own his dog immediately why they have such 
policies?  Could you also tell us why Leader revoked or threatened to 
revoke the the guide dogs?

As far as the comparison about the government taking your child until or 
unless you proved ability to their specifications, the parents conceived 
that child and the child is their family.  A guide dog was raised by 
someone else at great cost and people do not always give a dog the same 
care and concern as a child.  It is not an equal comparison.  I do not 
think schools should randomly yank dogs, but it would appear that Leader 
has had reason to change their policy.  You still can get ownership of 
your dog from Leader,  just not immediately.

Although I would prefer ownership immediately, I know that I will be a 
good handler.  Knowing that a school does not award ownership 
immediately, I would ask them why AND what are the circumstances under 
which they would revoke a dog.  I would not let the ownership issue 
alone keep me from a good school.

Other than that issue, what is your opinion of Leader?

Brenda




> 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.
>>
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>
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