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

Fri Aug 19 12:33:48 UTC 2011

Marion, your explanation is very thorough, and just to let you know, I had
no concerns, but felt that there might be questions from others as to
NAGDU's process and involvement when addressing such issues.  Talk with you
on Sunday:)

Steve Johnson, WAGDU President

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2011 7:20 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this
organization

Steve,
    You ask a very good question and deserve an equally good answer. Let me 
start by saying that I am a professional in the Mental health field. As 
such, I am required by the profession to abide by a code of ethics governing

my behavior and my relationships with those who seek my services. "Ethics" 
is informally defined as "conformity to the unenforceable". In other words, 
there are generally no penalties for violating a code of ethics, unless such

violations rise to the level of crimes. At the same time, there are internal

measures that membership organizations can take should a member violate the 
code of ethics.
    The short answer to your question is that Fidelco has no incentive to 
speak to anyone about this; not the consumer and not the consumer's 
representative. This being said, the consumer who was the subject of the 
article in the Braille Monitor attempted to obtain information from Fidelco 
about the status of the dog Fidelco portrayed as "undergoing evaluation" and

Fidelco's agreement  stated she owns. Fidelco refused to discuss this issue 
with her, citing their ownership agreement, specifically, in Eliot Russman's

own words to me "paragraph 'd', like dog". This paragraph gives Fidelco the 
"sole and absolute" authority to repossess a dog at any time for any reason.

They do not need to give an explanation nor engage any due process, behavior

that is generally unacceptable in the realm of consumer rights. The subject 
of the article, unable to resolve the issue, sought the assistance of the 
National Federation of the Blind who referred her to me.
    I secured a release of information form authorizing Fidelco to speak to 
me about these concerns in the hope of resolving the issue with a reasonable

explanation. Under most codes of ethics, given a signed release, the parties

of the release are allowed to speak to each other and share information that

is covered by the release as if the person to whom the information is being 
shared is the idnividual who makes the release. Mr. Russman would not accept

the release as validd because it was not notarized, something that is not 
generally required under such circumstances. He further asserted that he 
could not verify the signature on the form was that of the consumer, in 
spite of the fact that I am certain he had several other forms bearing her 
signature to which he could compare it, a simple fact he even refused to 
acknowledge. He refused to offer a valid release and refused to even answer 
my question of whether or not he would speak to me if it were notarized.
    So, the long answer is that Fidelco - or any other training program - 
has no incentive to speak to anyone else about the concerns of a consumer, 
including the consumer. It is, however, the right and ethical thing to do. 
Unless, that is, there is another motivation to operate in secrecy. If 
Fidelco has done nothing illegal or unethical, why would they not want to 
operate in the sunshine?
    Concerned about the treatment of consumers and volunteers, a group of 
stakeholders arranged a meeting with Eliot Russman and some of the members 
of the Board. Some of the Board members were not invited to this meeting, a 
fact that is a bit curious. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the 
issues of concern to these stakeholders. Some of them traveled a great 
distance to attend the meeting. Rather than approaching a resolution to any 
of the concerns brought forth by the stakeholders, the Board refused to 
respond to any of their concerns, stating it was priveleged information. Why

did the Board even allow the meeting to happen and cause people to incur the

expense of time and money to attend the meeting, knowing they were only 
going to remain silent? How can NAGDU, whose purpose is the protection of 
the consumer, stand by idly and allow consumers to be maltreated?
    Though no guide dog training program has any obligation to speak with 
us, if they are indeed interested in providing effective services to the 
individuals we represent, why would they not seek our input and be 
forthright with us? They have no obligation to do so, but it is the right 
and ethical thing to do.

fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU)
National Federation of the Blind
813-626-2789
President at NAGDU.ORG
HTTP://WWW.NAGDU.ORG

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven Johnson" <blinddog3 at charter.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 9:06 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this 
organization

> Just to put a little twist on this, just out of curiosity, why would a
> school want to give any information to NAGDU at all?  I think inquiring
> minds might like to know.  Devils' advocate...perhaps, but I believe the
> list deserves to really understand what rights NAGDU has to such
> information?  Please spell this out for all to read.
>
> Thanks for responding,
>
> Steve Johnson, WAGDU President
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Tina Thomas
> Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 2:49 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] fidelco guide dogs, what do you think of this
> organization
>
> Why wouldn't we print the truth on this list. As far as the negativity 
> goes,
> graduates approached us with concerns, we did not single out  Fidelco. So
> far you are the only one w  we have heard from who has given positive
> feedback about the school. Oh as far as being embarrassed, I have total
> confidence in our leadership and I know for a  fact that  the NAGDU board 
> of
> directors are unbiased towards any guide dog program. However, at the same
> time, if graduates come to us with concerns and or evidence of misconduct 
> on
> behalf of a school,  we will investigate the  claims.
> Tina
> NAGDU Board Member
> CAGDU VP.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Bryan Brown
> Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2011 11:10 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> 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.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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> biz
>>
>
>
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