[nagdu] job seeking and your guide dog

[Gary]

My situation was a bit different in that I had my job for a couple of years
when I finally decided to get my dog. I talked to my supervisor as well as
my office mates to see if there was anyone who would have issues. I had one
office mate who said she was a bit afraid of dogs but this was from a
childhood incident and she knew that guide dogs were very calm and well
trained dogs. (well trained anyways) It turned out that almost everyone else
I work directly with love dogs. Also, I'm a social worker who works with
seniors so Bogart has become a quick favourite. Even if he is just lying
around I think he brings a calming influence and at the minimum a point of
converstation for those who don't always know what to talk about.

I'll have to see what happens when I need to look for another job in the
future.

Gary

I:
H

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 5:53 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] job seeking and your guide dog


After hearing about several people who have been asked about whether they
actually need their dogs on job sites, I'd like to ask the question and hear
from people. 

Have you ever been asked by an employer or rehabilitation professional if
you need your dog in the workplace? 

Has any employer or rehabilitation professional ever suggested that you
leave your dog at home for certain jobs or asked if you would take a job
requiring that your dog be left at home? 

This question from a rehabilitation professional is, imho, unconscionable,
but apparently it's being asked more and more often of late. At least people
are coming forward and reporting it more often. 

I do realize with an apology to all the rehabilitation professionals, that
it's about closure and finding jobs but isn't part of that process
advocating for the blind person and his or her job needs, including the
right and sometimes need to use a guide dog? This comes into play
particularly for those whose dogs do additional tasks such as balance or
alerting tasks.

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com




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