[nagdu] I need some advice/help

[Laurel]

I know I haven't been part of this list for long, but I need somebody
to give me some advice on behalf of a friend of mine.

I have a friend who has a guide from a different school than me (I'm
GDB). I obviously won't say what school my friend is from, but I am
going to briefly detail her situation for you all.

She has her third dog from this particular school. Her first dog made
it 3 weeks into class before getting removed from the program due to
aggressive growling. Her second dog barked aggressivley and she didn't
get but a week with her. She went back to the same school about 4 or 5
months later and was given a guide. This guide has been with her for 3
years. He has numerous health problems with his stomach that make it
not possible for him to work anymore. He also has issues with right
side clearance while working and my friend has suffered many injuries
while working this dog. This dog is a sweet dog, a good pet but not a
good guide. She has over the years, and imparticularly the last 6
months, tried desperately to get help from the school. The school has
told her that she's on her own and can't be helped and they refuse to
send a trainer out or help her in any way.

Now, to the meat of her problem. Her dog doesn't want to work anymore
and is being retired. She has the ability to place the dog and wants
to do so so that she can keep in contact with her dog. She loves him
and has a bond with him, he just can't work. The school basically said
that they are sending a trainer out in 2 weeks to forceably take the
dog and rehome him. They are not planning to inform his new home of
any health issues he has or anything. My friend is very upset and
doesn't want her dog to go back to this school considering the fact
that they didn't care about him all this time and didn't attempt to
rectify the situation at all. Is there anything my friend can do to
keep the dog from getting taken by the school. Please don't get me
wrong, my friend is a great handler. She was issued a dog that due to
health and working issues should have never been issued. This
situation is not her fault. Can anybody give me any legal advice etc
to help with the situation. I'm willing to tell you who the school is
and with my friend's permission discuss the situation in full with
somebody, if it would help. If anybody could help me and my friend,
please write me privately and let me know.

Thank you, and I apologize that this is so long.
Laurel and Stockard