[nagdu] Pros & Cons of Advance NoticeRe: Dogs and Taxis

Sat Jul 30 10:06:12 UTC 2011

Dear All,
    During one of our conventions in Louisville, Sherrill O'Brien, Merry, 
and I walked to the Kroger that was a few blocks from the Galt House. After 
grocery shopping, not wanting to carry it all back, we called for a cab. 
When the cab arrived, the cabbie said he could only cary four passengers and 
the three of us each had a guide dog. He asserted we could not all fit. The 
three of us and our three dogs - one lab, one Viszala, and one 
Shepherd/Collie - all loaded into the vehicle to prove him wrong! Though he 
didn't want to take us at first, I think just the fact that we all fit 
amazed and amused him!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Hingson" <info at michaelhingson.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2011 12:06 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dogs and Taxis

Hi,

I am not sure why space has anything to do with it.  Even in smaller
vehicles there is room for a guide dog unless you have several passengers.
Front seats move forward and since most all vehicles have bucket seats or a
split bench the dog could sit on the floor on the side where the seat could
be moved forward the most.

Also Larry, you help make the point about why not to disclose the presence
of a guide dog since it can and does lead to needless arguments.  We need to
be and are about change in attitudes.  If we don't give people time to make
up rules and excuses we have a better chance of being role models in the
eyes of most drivers and travel oriented companies.

By the way, I say "transportation oriented companies" because the same
principles apply to airlines, hotels etc.  I have tried many experiments
over the years where I decide to indicate that a guide dog will be
accompanying me just to see what happens.  I find often that I encounter
much more difficulty with advanced disclosure than when I do not say I use a
service animal.

Mike Hingson

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
 "Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
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availability please visit www.michaelhingson.com
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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Larry D. Keeler
Sent: Friday, July 29, 2011 8:08 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Dogs and Taxis

I tell folks at the cab company or others out of consideration for space.
If they refuse Then I get ugly!  I also have the advantage of living about
100 yards from our major cab company, well I can just go down there and
complain!  Or maybe put some Holly presents on there doorstep!  Most folks,
when they see how well Holly behaves they love picking us up!  I do have a
probblem with the way dispatchers put out the call about transporting a dog!
It sort of depersonalizes us.  Also, sence I have had to transport my pet,
who does behave but not as well as Holly, I imagine that some confussion
could arise about whether the call involves pet or service dogs.  I usually
don't tell restraunts, hospitals or anyone else though.  I figure unlike me,
most folks are not blind and can see Holly doing her work.  They can
obviously see how well she is traind as well.  Any questions and I also have
her ID which I carry right along with my own.
Intelligence is always claimed but rarely proven!
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