[nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this organization

[Margo and Arrow]

Brian, I am glad your experience with Fidelco is a good one.  Many people 
have not had good experiences and we are investigating.  also, at our 
convention in July, fidelco failed to comment.

I have had positive experiences with The Seeing Eye, however, if problems 
become evident, I will be one of the first to hope that we will investigete 
those as well.

You talk about the truth. Whose truth?  Where are you getting this truth 
from?  The National Association of Guide dog users is seeking the truth in 
any legal and moral way we can do so.

I think we as guide dog users have spent too long a time defending our 
schools and not holding them as accoutable as perhaps we should.

I personally know fidelco graduates who are worried about their school, feel 
there are things that have gone seriously wrong, but are afraid to speak 
out.

Margo and Arrow
----- 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: Thursday, August 18, 2011 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this 
organization


> Bryan,
>    Just as some say that the organization is biased against Fidelco, so, 
> too, are some of its consumers. You have had a positive experience and 
> seem to slight those who choose to remain anonymous because of their real 
> fears of retaliation. we have given Fidelco numerous opportunities to 
> respond to our concerns and they refuse to do so. Those who have 
> experienced problems with Fidelco have attempted to address them with the 
> administration and the Board of Directors and their concerns have been 
> ignored. Even when an individual asked for an explanation, Fidelco hid 
> behind confidentiality. How is it a violation of confidentiality to not 
> share information with the person themselves?
>    Fidelco has been offered an opportunity to respond in the Braille 
> Monitor and have refused to take advantage of this opportunity. the 
> comment that is made that, when the "truth of this issue comes to light" 
> you will not hear about it on this list demonstrates the bias you hold and 
> the lack of trust you have in this organization. Whatever the outcome, it 
> will be shared on this list. I am confident in the position we have taken. 
> Why else would we open ourselves up to the possibility Fidelco will take 
> action against us. We would actually welcome it, as Fidelco would then be 
> required to produce evidence that our assertions are incorrect and they 
> cannot do this.
>    We took extreme precautions to ensure that the information we shared 
> was accurate.
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bryan Brown" <bryanbrown at solarus.biz>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 2:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this 
> organization
>
>
>> Reinhard,
>>
>>    I was just recently placed with my second Fidelco dog. I am very happy 
>> with the dogs and the service that I have received from Fidelco.
>>
>> There are a few people who have a negative opinion about Fidelco on this 
>> list. I encourage you to take a look at the facts. The people who have 
>> complained about Fidelco have remained anonymous and none of the 
>> allegations have been proven or substantiated.
>>
>> I feel that when the truth of these matters eventually comes to the 
>> surface you will probably not hear about it on this list. Many people 
>> will be embarrassed and the faith that current NAGDU members have in 
>> their leadership will be unforgettably shaken.
>>
>> I am a strong supporter of Fidelco and what the organization stands for. 
>> Please feel free to contact me off list at
>>
>> bryanbrown at solarus.biz
>>
>> if you would like to.
>>
>>    thanks,
>>    Bryan
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "reinhard stebner" <rwstebner at aol.com>
>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 8:40 AM
>> Subject: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this 
>> organization
>>
>>
>>> Good day to you,
>>>
>>> I just joined this list in hopes of getting opinions of Fidelco guide 
>>> dogs.
>>>
>>> 1) What have you thought  about Fidelco dogs?  I recently say a Braille 
>>> monitor article about one users bad experience with Fidelco.  I had 
>>> applied for a dog from them in February and was just approved to get a 
>>> guide from them.  After reading the article, I have doubts if I have 
>>> made the correct decision with attending this guide school.
>>>
>>> 2) All of the dogs that I have seen from this school have been very well 
>>> trained and respond well to their handlers.  I wanted a German Shepherd 
>>> and did not have time to go to a traditional school.  I have had poor 
>>> matches from other schools and wanted to give a smaller school a try.
>>>
>>> Any constructive feedback is welcome about guide dogs schools.  I want 
>>> to make sure I am making the best possible decision and not have issues 
>>> with he school.
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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/bryanbrown%40solarus.biz
>>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/margo.downey%40verizon.net
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1392 / Virus Database: 1520/3842 - Release Date: 08/18/11
>