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

Thu Aug 18 21:51:26 UTC 2011

Also Buddy I would add that if Fidelco was hoodwinking NAGDU and it's 
clients, patrons, puppy raisers, wouldn't they be trying to correct the 
issue, and let us know that what has happened was a mistake or it never 
happened or whatever.

Then they should be open to tell us about it, instead of not saying 
anything.

If they have nothing to hide, and they came to the NFB Convention, was a 
vendor at the convention, they gave their annual report to NAGDU, but didn't 
give the respect to Marion or the Division by answering our questions.

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Buddy Brannan" <buddy at brannan.name>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs,what do you think of this 
organization

> Hi Brian,
>
> First, I don't think anyone will dispute that Fidelco has trained 
> excellent teams and has enjoyed a fine and well-deserved reputation. 
> However, with the allegations of the sort that NAGDU has put forth, and 
> I've heard these from more quarters than just here and from more than just 
> Marion's account, the pattern of Mr. Russman's leadership is difficult to 
> deny. I'll say no more than this, not being a graduate myself, but being 
> well acquainted with several and being on the listserv in question. It's 
> pretty safe to say that the discontent here isn't just limited to NAGDU's 
> complaint.
>
> Be that as it may, let's assume for the moment that all of the complaints, 
> all of the problems that have come to light, are blown out of all 
> reasonable proportion, and that Fidelco has acted honorably in all cases, 
> but that NAGDU was hoodwinked into an angry overreaction with absolutely 
> no basis in fact. When all of the facts do come to light, what proof do 
> you have that we will, as you suggest, censor that outcome, and that, 
> should someone attempt to post findings contrary to our position, that 
> such a post would be censored? What proof have you that such has happened 
> in the past? Moreover, how can such a thing be accomplished on a listserv 
> whose membership is open and has no moderation of postings, short of the 
> removal and banning of people who have repeatedly and willfully caused 
> problems? Of course, such problems are a matter of record, and those posts 
> are available and uncensored. So what proof have you that NAGDU will, in 
> effect, rewrite history in this case?
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>
>
>
> On Aug 18, 2011, at 4:17 PM, Bryan Brown wrote:
>
> > Marion
> >
> > I believe that the information if and when the truth comes out will 
> > either be moderated or censored and will not be allowed on the list, I 
> > think it would make you Marion  and the rest of the Nagdu leadership 
> > look very bad.
> >
> > I have well placed  faith in Fidelco and I know more of the facts than 
> > you may be aware of. "my sources will remain anonymous" sound familiar?
> >
> > Marion  you have been lied to and the longer and harder you push the 
> > more foolish you and the rest of the Nagdu leadership behind you  are 
> > going to appear. It's a shame that Nagdu has to be guided with anger and 
> > paranoia. This could be a well respected advocacy group.
> >
> >   B
> > ----- 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 2:31 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
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> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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>
>
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