[nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights

Brittney N. Mejico brittneymejico at verizon.net
Thu Apr 21 12:07:52 UTC 2011


Lisa
Thanks I definitely will.  you have all been so helpful!

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lisa Irving
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 10:24 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights

Brittney,

HANG on to that list.  Keep bouncing questions and concerns around this
group. Correct me if I'm wrong, I gather you're probably in your early
twenties. Keep asking questions and trust your gut feeling.

Lisa and Bernie
From: "Brittney N. Mejico" <brittneymejico at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 3:13 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights


> hi Rebecca
> Excellent aadvice! I have been thinking about what you said for most of 
> the day.
> And the positive outweigh the  negative.
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)
> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2011 5:55 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>
> Britney,
> I'd suggest you treat this as a lessons learned event.
> Write down what you like about your dog and what you don't like. Then hang 
> onto it and think about it a bit later.
> Your experiences and impressions are valid and you should not discount 
> them. You got a dog to do a job for you. The school needs to know what 
> worked and what didn't. Every business does.
> If we were talking about a heating system and yours worked 75 percent of 
> the time and the other 25 percent it heated your house way too hot, you'd 
> let somebody know. You may choose to live with it because hey, it saves 
> you a lot of money, and you aren't home when it heats too hot, but you'd 
> certainly say "Whenyou install another system, let's fix this problem".
> Look at your dog and your school in the same way.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
> Of Brittney N. Mejico
> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 6:44 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>
> hi Mariane and every body else,
> Its all so complicated.  As a consumer you want the best dog possible.and
> yes I think we should get the best dog possible.
> but where do we draw the line between consumer who is asking to much and 
> we
> are the consumer we have a right to know. There so many things I would 
> have
> loved to know about my guide dog that I had to find out about later. I am
> starting to think that I am expecting to much from my school.  But at the
> same time I want to give them the benefit of the dout, sometimes they miss
> things, things do happen, dogs get sick etc.  Sometimes I think I am
> complaining and other times I think "hay this is what you signed up for 
> deal
> with it."
> Take care!
> .
>
> -----Original Message----
> From: Marion Gwizdala
> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 2:32 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>
> Brittney,
>    I object to the characteristic of the guide dog consumer as a "beggar".
> Guide dog training programs raise millions of dollars each year with the
> assertion that they are doing something beneficial and enhancing for the
> blind. Donors - many of whom are their own consumers - donate these 
> millions
> with the same intent. If it were not for us, those employed by the 
> training
> programs would not be earning their livings.
>    The idea that we have no say and must settle for whatever we receive
> with no rights to address abuse or maltreatment is archaic. Most training
> programs obviously view their blind consumers as nothing more than wards 
> who
> are unable to govern their own lives, let alone take care of a dog. What
> other reason would they have for not transferring ownership upon 
> completion
> of the program? I have heard many justifications and rationalizations for
> this paternalistic practice but none of them are convincing. It is time 
> for
> us to discard the notion that we are beholden to the training programs and
> demand to be treated equitably and with the dignity many of these programs
> mistakenly assert they provide.
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brittney N. Mejico" <brittneymejico at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 7:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>
>
>> Hi,
>> Do we have rights as guide dog users?  Most schools give us our dogs for
>> free or they charge a small fee that I think is extremely cheap.  Beggers
>> can't be choosers  I guess.  I think we should be informed of any alergy
>> or behavior problem but sometimes we aren't.  I think the schools try
>> there best we can't blame them for things that they may have missed.  My
>> guide has alergies, I found this after I brought her home. I contacted 
>> the
>> school I got her from,  and they helped me find a food that didn't cause
>> her problems.  A lot of people I know there guide dogs have alergies, I
>> don't know why, I guess things just happen.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Lyn Gwizdak
>> Sent: Monday, April 18, 2011 2:43 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>>
>> Hi guys,
>> As a side discussion to this, it seems to me that many more dogs are
>> cropping up with one kind or another allergy these days.  When I lived
>> back
>> east I never really encountered this problem until I moved to California.
>> Now I hear that the dogs in the east coast have this problem as well -
>> actually dogs all over the US.  Is this my imagination or are the dogs
>> coming out of the schools now actually having more allergies?  Input
>> anyone?
>>
>> The Bill of Rights thing sounds good to me.  I think the schools do what
>> they can to try to make sure that the dogs we get are in good health. But
>> these same dogs go through the hands of puppy raisers who either want
>> their
>> dog to suceed as a guide for a blind person or they want it to fail so
>> they
>> can keep it as a pet (I actually encountered a puppy raiser like this -
>> they
>> got found out and dropped from the program.).  I wonder if the only info
>> on
>> a given dog is only that provided by the puppy raiser in their reports to
>> the school.  then there are the problems that nobody forsees like 
>> regional
>> allergies or other problems that come up after the dog is exposed to
>> something as a ongoing thing after it goes out with a graduate.
>>
>> JUst wondering about these things. And then a dog is a living being and
>> there's no guarentees.
>>
>> Lyn and Landon
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Lisa Irving" <lirving1234 at cox.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 10:43 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>>
>>
>>> Marion, I'm not quite sure what I'm doing here.
>>>
>>> Consumers shall receive verbal and written notification by the school
>>> when a food allergy has been identified by the puppy raiser and or the
>>> assigned veterinarian.  With holding such vital information could have
>>> devastating results for the guide dog team.
>>>
>>> Lisa and Bernie
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 3:26 AM
>>> Subject: [nagdu] Lisa and All: Bill of Rights
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Lisa,
>>>>    Let me ask you to complete this statement as it pertains to the
>>>> issues you raise. Please keep the statement succinct, about one or two
>>>> sentences. Anyone else who wants to take a stab at it is welcome to do
>>>> so. As a guideline, here is the statement that would precede this one.
>>>>
>>>> a.       Consumers shall expect that every effort shall be made to
>>>> provide dogs in excellent health and appropriate temperament
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Now, complete this statement to provide that the program discloses this
>>>> information:
>>>>
>>>> The guide dog training program shall disclose ....
>>>>
>>>> I look forward to your input on our Bill of Rights!
>>>>
>>>> fraternally yours,
>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Lisa Irving" <lirving1234 at cox.net>
>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2011 1:16 AM
>>>> Subject: [nagdu] when should schools give information about dog guides
>>>> and re issued guides
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> I believe  the school has an obligation to be up front with the
>>>>> student. I respect  that the school doesn't want to set the student or
>>>>> the dog up for frustration and failure. This is what I base my belief
>>>>> on.
>>>>>
>>>>> My first guide dog was a sweet and stubborn Goldie. She was a finicky
>>>>> eater too. The school said nothing about her propensity to not eat.
>>>>> However, the puppy raiser did tell me on the sly.  I was told that 
>>>>> from
>>>>> the "get-go" my Goldie was a fussy eater. The puppyraisers used
>>>>> unconventional ways to get her to eat. They sprinkled Parmashon cheese
>>>>> on her food. That's all right by me. They also 'fessed up to slipping
>>>>> her people food. I'm glad they told me. It helped me be on the alert.
>>>>>
>>>>> My second dog, Louie, was a ever hungry Labrador. The puppyraisers 
>>>>> said
>>>>> something about all of his allergies and how he needed special food. I
>>>>> disregarded what they said because I figured if my dog had various 
>>>>> food
>>>>> allergies the school would know and they would tell me.  Louie is the
>>>>> dog I returned because I thought he had behavioral issues. No, he had
>>>>> very severe food allergies which explained why he learned to get the
>>>>> bungy cords off the trash cans and feast. He also feasted on animal
>>>>> feces too.
>>>>>
>>>>> Bernie, my third guide dog, probably has some food allergies. Not
>>>>> wanting a sad repeat of the previous food related experiences with
>>>>> Louie, I nipped the problem in the bud. That is, Bernie ate two
>>>>> different dog foods  that left him with gooey poo.  Bernie eats  a
>>>>> fresh and whole food quality dog food. The joke is, I can eat the 
>>>>> dog's
>>>>> food if I really want a truly healthy and balanced diet.{In Bernie's
>>>>> food is: salmon, barley, beets, carrots and ginger and other items{.
>>>>>
>>>>> Lisa and Bernie ,  ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 12:05 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second
>>>>> ownerifitdoesn'tworkout with the first owner?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Sarah.
>>>>>> Quite true.  Though I'd be happy if the puppy raiser would let me 
>>>>>> know
>>>>>> if,
>>>>>> say, the dog was a habitual counter surfer.  Though they probably
>>>>>> wouldn't, for fear of getting their puppy dropped from training.
>>>>>> I figure knowledge is power, and I'm a big girl who won't go nuts 
>>>>>> over
>>>>>> little problems.  But you're probably right that no one is going to
>>>>>> tell
>>>>>> me all I'd like to know.
>>>>>> Tracy
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Tracy,
>>>>>>> I was just comparing it to what we know about the guides we receive
>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>> not reissues.  They normally don't tell us about those things when 
>>>>>>> we
>>>>>>> receive a nonreissue, so I wouldn't really expect them to for a
>>>>>>> reissue
>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>> because it was a reissue.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sarah & Miguel
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 11:20 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second
>>>>>>> ownerifitdoesn'tworkout
>>>>>>> with the first owner?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi Sarah.
>>>>>>>> I don't think I buy your argument.  There could be plenty of
>>>>>>>> undesirable
>>>>>>>> behaviors I might never think to mention.  For example, Ben empties
>>>>>>>> on
>>>>>>>> route.  The best I've managed to do is teach him to pull over 
>>>>>>>> first.
>>>>>>>> To
>>>>>>>> me, this is a very undesirable behavior, but it did not occur to me
>>>>>>>> during
>>>>>>>> the matching process to say so, any more than I would think to
>>>>>>>> mention
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> a shoe salesman that I don't want my shoe laces coming untied every
>>>>>>>> 5
>>>>>>>> minutes.
>>>>>>>> Personally, I'd like to at least be made aware of any undesirable
>>>>>>>> behavior
>>>>>>>> the school is aware of, so I could either take immediate steps to
>>>>>>>> correct
>>>>>>>> it, or decide I don't want to deal with it at all.  You can bet,
>>>>>>>> next
>>>>>>>> time, I'll say very loudly that I don't want a dog who empties on
>>>>>>>> route.
>>>>>>>> Then they'll probably give me a counter surfer instead. <grimace.>
>>>>>>>> Tracy
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Hi Peggy,
>>>>>>>>> Thinking about it, you probably don't even really need to know why
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> match
>>>>>>>>> didn't work, if its not something that is going to impact you. The
>>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>>> reason I can think of that a handler would need to know is if the
>>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>>> has
>>>>>>>>> some kind of medical condition where it is going to need
>>>>>>>>> prescription
>>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>>> food, or baths every couple weeks, or something else that is going
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>> real hassel and/or cost a lot more money than usual.  But then
>>>>>>>>> again,
>>>>>>>>> I'd
>>>>>>>>> think a handler should know this about any dog regardless if its a
>>>>>>>>> reissue
>>>>>>>>> or not.
>>>>>>>>> As long as the reissue matches what the new handler wants, and the
>>>>>>>>> handler
>>>>>>>>> is specific in what they want, there shouldn't be any problems. If
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> previous handler returned the dog because they didn't like
>>>>>>>>> something
>>>>>>>>> such
>>>>>>>>> as
>>>>>>>>> that the dog scavenged a lot or counter surfed, etc, that 
>>>>>>>>> shouldn't
>>>>>>>>> matter
>>>>>>>>> too much either because if the new handler specifically doesn't
>>>>>>>>> want to
>>>>>>>>> deal
>>>>>>>>> with a major food distraction issue, they'd want to request a dog
>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> isn't
>>>>>>>>> too food distracted, or ideally, who doesn't have a food
>>>>>>>>> distraction
>>>>>>>>> problem
>>>>>>>>> at all.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Sarah & Miguel
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>> From: "Peggy" <pshald at neb.rr.com>
>>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 6:29 AM
>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second
>>>>>>>>> ownerifitdoesn'tworkout
>>>>>>>>> with the first owner?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> That's just it, you have no idea why the match didn't work, I'd 
>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>> curious
>>>>>>>>>> to find out, but schools don't always provide that information. 
>>>>>>>>>> My
>>>>>>>>>> current Seeing Eye dog is a reissued dog and she is one of the
>>>>>>>>>> best
>>>>>>>>>> dogs
>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>> have ever had.  As I said I'll always wonder why her previous
>>>>>>>>>> match
>>>>>>>>>> didn't
>>>>>>>>>> work out but she is wonderful ... she was taken back to the
>>>>>>>>>> school,
>>>>>>>>>> re-evaluated and whatever else they have to do.  She lived in one
>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> instructor's offices for supervision for quite a while.  It was
>>>>>>>>>> determined
>>>>>>>>>> that she was still workable and was then matched with me and it's
>>>>>>>>>> turned
>>>>>>>>>> out wonderful.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>> From: Sarah Clark
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 10:15 PM
>>>>>>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog 
>>>>>>>>>> Users
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second owner
>>>>>>>>>> ifitdoesn'tworkout with the first owner?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> I don't think you can turn down all reissues, or classify them 
>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> same category.  True that an occasional dog that is a reissue may
>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>> been
>>>>>>>>>> sent back for unpleasant reasons like being too hard to handle 
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> handler, or certain health conditions that wouldn't stop the dog
>>>>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>>>>> working but that the handler didn't want to deal with, etc, but
>>>>>>>>>> many
>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>> them
>>>>>>>>>> are sent back for reasons that are not negative at all.  Maybe 
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>> walked too fast for the handler and they got home and realized
>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> they couldn't slow the dog down (this happened to my husband with
>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>> guide
>>>>>>>>>> many years ago).  Maybe it just wasn't a good match.  Or maybe 
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> person
>>>>>>>>>> lived in a very hot climate and the dog just couldn't handle the
>>>>>>>>>> extreme
>>>>>>>>>> heat (also happened with someone I know).
>>>>>>>>>> I wouldn't think twice about taking a reissue if the school 
>>>>>>>>>> thinks
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> dog
>>>>>>>>>> is a good match for me and what I'm looking for.  Its also true
>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>>> have the experience under their belt so are often more seasoned
>>>>>>>>>> than
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> younger dogs.  Though it is clear that some applicants don't want
>>>>>>>>>> them
>>>>>>>>>> because each school I have applied to has asked during the
>>>>>>>>>> interview
>>>>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>>>>> I'd
>>>>>>>>>> be open to having one.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Sarah & Miguel
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>> From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 3:01 PM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second owner if
>>>>>>>>>> itdoesn'tworkout with the first owner?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>I know a guy who had a guide who had been reissued.  This dog was
>>>>>>>>>>>with
>>>>>>>>>>> a
>>>>>>>>>>>guy who got himself arrested and a jail term and the dog was 
>>>>>>>>>>>taken
>>>>>>>>>>> from
>>>>>>>>>>>him and my friend got this same dog.  Boy, what stories this dog
>>>>>>>>>>>could
>>>>>>>>>>>have told if he could talk!  It was a very nice dog and she 
>>>>>>>>>>>worked
>>>>>>>>>>> well
>>>>>>>>>>>for my friend and she had a good long working life.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Lyn and Landon
>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Lisa Irving" <lirving1234 at cox.net>
>>>>>>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>>>> Users"
>>>>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2011 1:24 AM
>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second owner if it
>>>>>>>>>>> doesn'tworkout with the first owner?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi there, Tami and Brittney,
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> The more I contemplate the re issuance of a guide dog, I keep
>>>>>>>>>>>> thinking
>>>>>>>>>>>> how much it means to me when someone gives me a second chance.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Our
>>>>>>>>>>>> dogs
>>>>>>>>>>>> deserve as many chances as we can give them; first time out, or
>>>>>>>>>>>> re
>>>>>>>>>>>> issued.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Lisa and Bernie
>>>>>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>>>>>> From: "Tamara Smith-Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
>>>>>>>>>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>>>>>>>>> Users'"
>>>>>>>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 10:36 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] should guides be given a second owner if 
>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>>> doesn'twork out with the first owner?
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Brittney,
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm glad you asked this question.  That's one of those program
>>>>>>>>>>>>> policies
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ran across while researching for owner-training, and my first
>>>>>>>>>>>>> response
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the notion was very negative.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Since then, I've heard of enough positive experience with dogs
>>>>>>>>>>>>> who
>>>>>>>>>>>>> were
>>>>>>>>>>>>> reissued after being returned to have a more favorable view of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> practice.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Most of what I've heard is from people who have done well with
>>>>>>>>>>>>> re-issued
>>>>>>>>>>>>> dogs or from people who know people...  /smile/  Still, I get
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>>>>>> now
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and understand the reasoning others have explained, and it 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> does
>>>>>>>>>>>>> seem
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for the most part.  There will certainly be times when it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> doesn't,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>>> is true of matches in general.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> As for whether you're over-reacting...  As a still pretty new
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> only
>>>>>>>>>>>>> somewhat experienced guide dog handler, also an owner-trainer
>>>>>>>>>>>>> then
>>>>>>>>>>>>> self-taught handler, I've been observing the attitudes and 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> ways
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> thinking
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of handlers at or just above my level of experience as closely
>>>>>>>>>>>>> as I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>>>>> those of the long-timers.  I can watch my peers in that regard
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> give
>>>>>>>>>>>>> myself a reality check as to how I'm coming along not just in
>>>>>>>>>>>>> skill
>>>>>>>>>>>>> but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>>>> maturity as a handler while I'm learning from those with much
>>>>>>>>>>>>> more
>>>>>>>>>>>>> experience.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> So here's my observation, based not just on myself but on a
>>>>>>>>>>>>> generalized
>>>>>>>>>>>>> group of other first time handlers going through or just 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> coming
>>>>>>>>>>>>> past
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> team building phase:  We over-react.  To everything.  /lol/ 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The
>>>>>>>>>>>>> good,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> bad, the mundane...  It is all new and exciting and 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> frightening
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> wonderful and awful, all beyond belief.  We popped out to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> dinner
>>>>>>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>>>>>>> this
>>>>>>>>>>>>> evening, and at the restaurant there was just this one little
>>>>>>>>>>>>> thing
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that no
>>>>>>>>>>>>> one would have noticed beyond our table...  Outwardly, I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> remained
>>>>>>>>>>>>> calm
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> responded correctly and it was all okay.  Inwardly, what did I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> do?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> /lol/
>>>>>>>>>>>>> OMG!  How can this be?  What can it mean?  Oh, no, this is so
>>>>>>>>>>>>> terrible!
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Then I noticed nothing had actually happened that was worth 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> fuss and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> got over it.  /smile/  More and more, it's all old hat, but
>>>>>>>>>>>>> apparently
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I can
>>>>>>>>>>>>> still freak out just fine over absolutely nothing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> As for working through bad habits in your re-issue dog...  I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> think
>>>>>>>>>>>>> others
>>>>>>>>>>>>> are right in their observations that during the first year or
>>>>>>>>>>>>> so,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> there
>>>>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>>>>> always be something that will make you absolutely crazy about
>>>>>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>>>>>> dog.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> In
>>>>>>>>>>>>> your first dog, these will be far more magnified in your own
>>>>>>>>>>>>> mind
>>>>>>>>>>>>> than
>>>>>>>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>>>>>>>> those you work with later on as a truly experience dhandler.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> The
>>>>>>>>>>>>> bad
>>>>>>>>>>>>> habits
>>>>>>>>>>>>> need to be dealt with and modified, certainly, but it's not
>>>>>>>>>>>>> really
>>>>>>>>>>>>> habit for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> you yet to deal with those ups and downs.  So you really have
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> think
>>>>>>>>>>>>> your
>>>>>>>>>>>>> way through it and notice every little thing and try to figure
>>>>>>>>>>>>> out
>>>>>>>>>>>>> how
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> counteract and...  Well, on and on.  It just takes awhile for
>>>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> become havit and natural.  I've only been there for a short
>>>>>>>>>>>>> while
>>>>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>>>>> with
>>>>>>>>>>>>> minor blips where I freak out over nothing -- and that sure is
>>>>>>>>>>>>> nice!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Good luck with your dog; sounds like you're coming through the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> tream
>>>>>>>>>>>>> building phase and are starting on the next one -- which is
>>>>>>>>>>>>> where
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>>>> falls together and you're just you working your guide. /smile/
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I'm
>>>>>>>>>>>>> loving
>>>>>>>>>>>>> that, and trying to hold onto that feeling as I move into the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> taking
>>>>>>>>>>>>> it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> all
>>>>>>>>>>>>> for granted phase.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Tami Smith-Kinney
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>>>>>>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>>>>> [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Behalf
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Of Brittney N. Mejico
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 3:20 PM
>>>>>>>>>>>>> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing
>>>>>>>>>>>>> List
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] should guides be given a second owner if it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> doesn't
>>>>>>>>>>>>> work
>>>>>>>>>>>>> out with the first owner?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>>>>>>>>>> My dog had another handler before me.  I don't think that
>>>>>>>>>>>>> guides
>>>>>>>>>>>>> should
>>>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>>>> given another handlerbecause the dog picksup a lot of bad
>>>>>>>>>>>>> habits
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>>>>>> are  really hard to get rid of.  I love my  dog very muchand
>>>>>>>>>>>>> harvard
>>>>>>>>>>>>> has
>>>>>>>>>>>>> changed my life, but it took me a year to stop a lot of her 
>>>>>>>>>>>>> bad
>>>>>>>>>>>>> habbits, and
>>>>>>>>>>>>> we still have some work to do.  What do you guys think? am I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> over
>>>>>>>>>>>>> reacting?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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/lirving1234%40cox.net
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>>> 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/linda.gwizdak%40cox.net
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> 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/goldflash9%40sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> 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/pshald%40neb.rr.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> 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/goldflash9%40sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> 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/carcione%40access.net
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
>>>>>>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> nagdu:
>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/goldflash9%40sbcglobal.net
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> nagdu mailing list
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>>>>>>> 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/carcione%40access.net
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> 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/lirving1234%40cox.net
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 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.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>> nagdu:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/lirving1234%40cox.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nagdu:
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>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
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>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
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>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nagdu:
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>
>
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