[nagdu] Keeping Your Lab Safe in Chem Lab

[Marsha Drenth]

Hayden, 

Its marsha here from PA, we met at one of our chpater meetings earlier in the summer. Glad you have made it back with the new pup. 

When I took biology a few semesters ago, I dealt with the same safety issues. I purchased a very inexpensive folding crate. We placed it into the corner, so that my guide could see me, but so that she was safe. She my guide did well with this arrangement. When I came into the lab I unfolded the crate and emma went right in. I left her harness on, in case of an emergency. but it was never needed. I only took the crate when I had that lab, and didn't trust other students or my professor with the crate. at the begining of class of the semester, I explained that my guide was there, and for students to ignore her. they would talk about her, but never bothered her. at one point during the semester, glass got broken, and I was so glad that she was in the crate.  

Let me know if you need other information, you can email me off list at marsha.drenth at gmail.com 
Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone

On Aug 8, 2012, at 9:41 PM, Hayden Dahmm <hwdahmm at live.com> wrote:

> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> 
> 
> I’m a college sophomore, and I just recently received my
> first guide dog, Fathom, from the Seeing Eye. 
> Fathom is a happy Lab Retriever Cross, and he’s doing a truly spectacular
> job.
> 
> 
> 
> I’m excited to introduce Fathom to my college campus, but I
> have one concern.  In the Fall, I will be
> taking Inorganic Chemistry.  The course instructors
> have correctly pointed out that the chemistry lab environment is potentially
> dangerous for a dog.  The space is frequently
> cleaned, but there could be chemical residue or glass shards on the floor.  I, of course, am extremely concerned for
> Fathom’s safety, but the labs usually last three hours, far too long for me to
> leave Fathom alone at such an early point in our relationship.  I have suggested that I get a collapsible crate
> to put in the corner, so that Fathom will not be on the ground, but will still
> have me in sight.  This is not a perfect
> solution, as a variety of things could go wrong in a lab.  Another option is to leave him in an office nearby;
> I could check in on him every ten minutes or so.  I don’t feel comfortable with the second
> option though, because he might feel stranded in an unfamiliar place.  Furthermore, this would require that I interrupt
> my work, remove my safety gear and walk down the hall a dozen times in a session.
> 
> 
> 
> I will be meeting with the lab instructor and disability
> services personnel on Monday (Aug 13) to discuss my options.  If anyone has dealt with this problem or has
> suggestions as to how both Fathom and I could be made safe and happy, I would appreciate
> hearing your thoughts. 
> 
> 
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Hayden Dahmm
> 
> Swarthmore, ‘15
> 
> 610-405-0098
> 
>                         
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