[nagdu] rejected by teh lions club?

Steve Johnson stevencjohnson at centurytel.net
Sun May 2 21:29:51 UTC 2010


Hi Jessica,

I realize that you will get a lot of responses with this one, but what I
would encourage you to do is work with Marion to draft an appropriate
response that clearly educates this individual about owner-trained service
animals as well as the Federal law that protects individuals.  

As far as requests for funding from Lion's goes, there are a lot of projects
that the Lion's do support whether it be International Lion's, their
District's projects, State Lion's projects, Lion's, Lioness, Leo's, Lion
Cubs, Sight First, Diabetes, Lion's Foundation and so much more, so it is
not unusual that the funding aspect is denied.  I can tell you that as a
Lion, it was even difficult to get a sponsorship for my last Leader Dog, and
due to my direct affiliation, it was decided to blend funding from two
different clubs.  

I do hope you consider this as they will most certainly be scrutinizing any
request for funding as they receive literally hundreds and thousands a year,
and demonstrating to any club or organization that you can financially
support the brunt of your own quest, might be more favorable in their eyes.


JMO, Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jessica Pitzer
Sent: Sunday, May 02, 2010 2:53 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] rejected by teh lions club?

Hi all,
following is an email I received in response to an email I sent to my local
lions club about asking for help with some of the costs of owner training.
I'm.. not quite sure how to feel right now except baffled as we have some
many owner trainers and I just embarked on this journey myself.
Thoughts?
On 5/2/10, Rosemary Richert <rosemary at richertnet.com> wrote:
> Hi Bert,
>
> It is highly unusual, and questionably irresponsible, for someone to 
> train their own guide dog.  The state only recognizes service animals 
> which have been professionally trained.  Any other such dogs may be 
> banned from places which would otherwise allow access to service 
> animals.  Necessary training of the dog is very comprehensive and time 
> consuming.  And, subsequently, training of the blind person with the 
> dog is, also, very comprehensive and time consuming.  For the person's 
> training, alone, three weeks of on-site training with the animal
determined best suited to their needs is required.
> The blind person needs to prove their orientation and mobility skills 
> before even being accepted into a training program.  Without proof of 
> the adequacy of those skills, they will not be accepted.
>
> I served on the Board of Directors of Leader Dogs for the Blind for 
> four years, and am the person who convinced the facility to become 
> trainers for the blind/deaf community...to the best of my knowledge, 
> it remains the only facility with qualified instructors of deaf/blind 
> individuals.  I tell you this, so that you may understand that I have 
> a credible background in these matters, and know whereof I speak.  I 
> would strongly caution your Lions club, or any other Lions club, about 
> considering involvement with a person who thinks they can train a guide
dog for the blind on their own.
> Involvement under such circumstances could come back to haunt an 
> otherwise well-meaning club.  It would make much more sense for this 
> person to be screened as to qualifications; and, if qualified, be 
> sponsored to a recognized service do training program.
>
> Thank you for your kind consideration.
>
>
>
> God bless.
>
>
>
> With Lionism at Heart, C
>
>
>
> PDG Rosemary

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