[nagdu] Meet My Girls

Fri Aug 10 18:25:42 UTC 2012

But, if there were more buses, and most people took them, then that is a
real positive.  Maybe if gas prices get high enough, we'll get better
public transit again.
Ms. Napier also seems to put a high value on walking.  She says that, even
after retirement, she prefers to walk where she needs to go, if it's at
all feasible, because exercise is a good thing.  And indeed, it sounds
like she could walk a long distance, even in her 80s.  Staying fit pays
off.
Tracy

> Tracy, I suspect you're right on the boost to her families.
> How sad though if that was the case as she also has the right to live her
> life on her terms and not based on what others will think. So if it was
> more doable to have a driver and she didn't use it for fear of what people
> will think, that's also quite sad.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 1:56 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Meet My Girls
>
> I wondered why she didn't hire a driver.  Maybe it wasn't an option.
> Maybe her employer wouldn't spring for it, and she couldn't afford it on
> her salary.
> Or maybe it was just expected that blind teachers would figure it out.
> I think I would hire a driver to save time, but I imagine it was a big
> boost to the families she served, to see that a blind person was not
> delivered to the door by a sighted person, but was out walking and
> catching public transit.
> I wonder too if buses ran better back then.  Maybe there were more buses
> and fewer cars.
> Tracy
>
>>         Just checked with NLS and Meet My Girls is also in Braille.
>> Book sounds interesting. I wonder if she took the bus and walked because
>> she didn't know hiring a driver was an option?
>> Traffic paterns were different then. We used to live in a house built in
>> the 1940's. When it was built, the neighborhood was very upscale and
>> pedestrian friendly. That changed beginning in the 1960's with a couple
>> heavy traffic roads that bisected the once-walkable neighborhood.
>> Also, she may have been socialized to believe that the dogs needed all
>> kinds of work.
>> And I'll confess to getting a bit teary when I read Tracy's bit about
>> the
>> woman knowing this would be her last dog. Thanks for the heads-up, I'll
>> probably cry when I read this.
>> I totally lost my s*** when Marley died at the end of Marley And Me.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf
>> Of Lyn Gwizdak
>> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 4:05 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] My Apologies!
>>
>> Hahahahaha, Marion!
>> I know you support the owner-trainers here!  Now, don't go pulling any
>> "Romneys" here!  He said California was like Greece with the economic
>> problems - and had to back peddle a bit. LOL!
>>
>> Lyn and Landon
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 11:10 AM
>> Subject: [nagdu] My Apologies!
>>
>>
>>>        My message did not come out the way I meant it to read! What a
>>> difference a word makes! I meant to write, "I have never met an
>>> owner-trained dog that was *not* as well controlled as a program dog!"
>>> The
>>> way I originally wrote this message was cumbersome, so i editted it and
>>> really screwed up the meaning. In these days of political attack ads, I
>>> sure hope my words don't get disseminated far and wide, giving the
>>> impression I look upon owner-traners poorly. Those who really know my
>>> view
>>> on this issue will attest to the fact that I am fully supportive of
>>> owner-trainers! Sorry 'bout that, Chief!
>>>
>>> Fraternally yours,
>>> Marion
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Pawpower Creations" <pawpower at cox.net>
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 8:56 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs And VA Facilities--what?!
>>>
>>>
>>>> Marion, I have never met a program trained dog that was as well
>>>> trained
>>>> and
>>>> well controlled as either mine or Rox'E'S owner trained dogs.  In fact
>>>> most
>>>> of the owner trainers that we know have had awesomely well behaved
>>>> dogs
>>>> and
>>>> I would stack them up against any program trained dog any day of the
>>>> week.
>>>>
>>>> That is not to say that program trained dogs are not well controlled
>>>> or
>>>> well
>>>> trained, it is just that I haven't met any, or I should say I have met
>>>> very
>>>> few which I could call well controlled.  I just don't think it is fair
>>>> to
>>>> lump all owner trained dogs in to a group simply because the
>>>> experiences
>>>> you
>>>> have had with them have been less than stellar.
>>>> JMHO
>>>>
>>>> Woofs and wags from the pawpower pack,
>>>>
>>>> Queen Bristol, Mill'E to the max, Rudy the dude in spirit,  baby girl
>>>> Laveau
>>>> and Bayou Baylee.
>>>>
>>>> Pawpower Creations,  Products designed with you and your canine in
>>>> mind.
>>>> Bob Blackner/Rox'e Homstad,
>>>> 504-312-2609
>>>> pawpower at cox.net
>>>> www.pawpowercreations.com
>>>>
>>>> And be sure and visit bayou Baylee's blog at:
>>>> www.pawpowercreations.com/wordpress
>>>> See you there.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I asked for strength that I might rear her perfectly;
>>>> I was given weakness that I might feed her more treats.
>>>>
>>>> I asked for good health that I might rest easy;
>>>> I was given a "special needs" dog that I might know nurturing.
>>>>
>>>> I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud;
>>>> I was given stubbornness that I might feel humble.
>>>>
>>>> I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful;
>>>> I was given a clown that I might laugh.
>>>>
>>>> I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely;
>>>> I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.
>>>>
>>>> I got nothing I asked for,
>>>> But everything that I needed.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Author unknown
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf
>>>> Of Marion Gwizdala
>>>> Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2012 6:28 AM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs And VA Facilities--what?!
>>>>
>>>> Vanessa,
>>>>    I'm not sure if I agree with your message completely. I have never
>>>> met
>>>> an owner-trained guide dog that was as well controlled as a program
>>>> dog.
>>>> NAGDU and the National Association of Blind veterans will work with
>>>> our
>>>> General Counsel to create a better policy for the VA.
>>>>
>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>> Marion
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Vanessa Lowery" <vlowery at dhr.state.md.us>
>>>> To: "the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 'NAGDU Mailing List"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 3:40 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs And VA Facilities--what?!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> OK, that was a history lesson, for sure.  Thanks, jenine.  This also
>>>>> tells
>>>>
>>>>> me that GdUI's leadership is aware of the same issue.
>>>>>
>>>>> But this also speaks to the concerns that we all have about service
>>>>> dogs,
>>>>> be they program-trained or owner-trained.  The issue being control of
>>>>> the
>>>>> dog.  Sounds like some of the owner-trained dogs, though they may
>>>>> perform
>>>>> tasks, are not under good control, and that is what brought about
>>>>> this
>>>>> ruling.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Vanessa Lowery, LGSW
>>>>> Adult and Community Services Division
>>>>> Adult Services Screening Unit
>>>>> 410-853-3550
>>>>> VLowery at dhr.state.md.us
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com> 8/8/2012 3:27 PM >>>
>>>>> Buddy,
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Let me try to explain this access issue. We have been dealing with
>>>>> this
>>>>> at
>>>>> GDF and our service dog organization, America's Vetdogs, for the past
>>>>> several years.
>>>>>
>>>>> The first thing to know about any Veterans Administration facility is
>>>>> that
>>>>> there is no overall governing structure that covers every aspect of
>>>>> its
>>>>> operation. Each facility director is allowed, under federal
>>>>> directive,
>>>>> to
>>>>> establish policies and procedures according to the needs, within
>>>>> certain
>>>>> parameters of course, of that facility.
>>>>>
>>>>> Veterans and staff alike have a saying: "If you've been to one VA
>>>>> facility,
>>>>> you've been to one VA facility."
>>>>>
>>>>> Although the Secretary in DC has given some general guidance, it is
>>>>> only
>>>>> that and each facility may establish its own rules for access.
>>>>>
>>>>> Remember, Veterans Administration facilities are federal and do not
>>>>> fall
>>>>> under the ADA. They fall under the Rehabilitation Act and even more
>>>>> specifically, under these guidelines established by the Secretary of
>>>>> Veterans Affairs.
>>>>>
>>>>> As the popularity of service dogs to assist with many disabling
>>>>> conditions
>>>>> has risen, a number of people have owner trained pets or acquired
>>>>> dogs
>>>>> not
>>>>> suitable for the work. These people know that their dogs are covered
>>>>> under
>>>>> the ADA and truly do believe that this coverage extends to the VA
>>>>> system.
>>>>> Just as with the general public, when any dog designated as a service
>>>>> animal
>>>>> does not behave properly, disrupts activities or poses a danger to
>>>>> people,
>>>>> it can be removed from the facility. This is true with the VA as
>>>>> well,
>>>>> but
>>>>> as with the general public, the VA has chosen to use a wide ranging
>>>>> punishment for a very specific issue. We receive calls at least once
>>>>> a
>>>>> week
>>>>> from VA facilities asking how to ban dogs who attack staff and other
>>>>> service
>>>>> dogs. According to the VA staff calling, most of these dogs are owner
>>>>> or
>>>>> privately trained. Some, however, as we point out, are indeed trained
>>>>> by
>>>>> accredited facilities. We advise the VA staff to first work with the
>>>>> individual to alert him/her that the dog's behavior is not
>>>>> appropriate
>>>>> and
>>>>> if it continues with no attempt to correct it, the dog can be banned
>>>>> from
>>>>> the facility. We also refer them to their facility's policy on
>>>>> service
>>>>> animal access, which may or may not state this.
>>>>>
>>>>> Unfortunately, many veterans are also using service dogs as
>>>>> protection
>>>>> devices for personal safety which is not at all a function of the
>>>>> work
>>>>> service dogs are generally expected to do and is not allowed under
>>>>> the
>>>>> ADA
>>>>> or other access laws.
>>>>>
>>>>> In order to establish some kind of order in who is bringing dogs into
>>>>> VA
>>>>> facilities, many facilities have decided to adopt the standard that
>>>>> any
>>>>> service animal entering the facility must have been trained by an
>>>>> organization with either Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or
>>>>> International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) credentials. Handlers who
>>>>> cannot
>>>>> show ID with the logos of either of these organizations and an
>>>>> associated
>>>>> training provider will not be allowed to take their service or guide
>>>>> dogs
>>>>> into the VA facility.
>>>>>
>>>>> You're probably thinking that people can just get these logos on line
>>>>> and
>>>>> make up ID cards. They could but ADI and IGDF are extremely strict
>>>>> about
>>>>> who
>>>>> and where their logos may be used and will seek whatever legal
>>>>> remedies
>>>>> appropriate when they discover misuse of their logos. If you have a
>>>>> guide
>>>>> dog school ID and your school is accredited by IGDF, chances are it
>>>>> bares
>>>>> that logo.
>>>>>
>>>>> This VA access standard generally has not touched the guide dog
>>>>> handlers
>>>>> much in the past but increasingly, the rule is being enforced more
>>>>> strictly
>>>>> so that guide dogs, once held separately by the VA in general in
>>>>> terms
>>>>> of
>>>>> access and provision of benefits, are now being included in a general
>>>>> service animal category and more closely scrutinized.
>>>>>
>>>>> This is truly one of those pendulum swings in access rights that
>>>>> happens
>>>>> when things get too out of control for an entity. We saw this in the
>>>>> July
>>>>> 2010 revision of the ADA's service animal definition and standards.
>>>>> The
>>>>> VA
>>>>> is following that general line with these regulations.
>>>>>
>>>>> I will not go into whether I think this is right or wrong as that is
>>>>> a
>>>>> whole
>>>>> other topic, but just to let you know, it is out there and it does
>>>>> affect
>>>>> many people seeking services from the VA.
>>>>>
>>>>> There are efforts in Congress already to change this guidance but
>>>>> some
>>>>> of
>>>>> those efforts are based on incorrect information and assumptions.
>>>>>
>>>>> What can NAGDU do about this situation? One thing you can do that
>>>>> would
>>>>> be
>>>>> very helpful for those of us in organizations that work directly with
>>>>> the
>>>>> VA
>>>>> for our handlers is to ask your handlers who are using VA facilities,
>>>>> either
>>>>> as veterans or dependants, whether or not their access with their
>>>>> dogs
>>>>> has
>>>>> been questioned, challenged or denied within the past year. If so,
>>>>> please
>>>>> let me know privately.
>>>>>
>>>>> As I said, each VA facility is its own entity regarding how strictly
>>>>> the
>>>>> guidelines for service animals are enforced. Some facilities allow
>>>>> pets
>>>>> and
>>>>> therapy animals without question while others are extremely strict
>>>>> about
>>>>> showing ID for the service animal each time the person comes to the
>>>>> facility. It all depends on the experiences and attitude of the
>>>>> facility
>>>>> director and staff.
>>>>>
>>>>> Hope this helps.
>>>>>
>>>>> Jenine Stanley
>>>>> jeninems at wowway.com
>>>>> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>>> Behalf
>>>>> Of Buddy Brannan
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2012 1:07 PM
>>>>> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dogs And VA Facilities--what?!
>>>>>
>>>>> Someone just brought the following to my attention. What does this
>>>>> mean
>>>>> for
>>>>> owner/trained guide and service dogs? Moreover, what does this mean
>>>>> for
>>>>> the
>>>>> future of what constitutes a service dog?
>>>>>
>>>>> From
>>>>>
>>>> http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc112/h1627_enr.xml#toc-H547AD04B80A24ADCBB0
>>>>> 2C96CBF22D067
>>>>>
>>>>> SEC. 109. USE OF SERVICE DOGS ON PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
>>>>> VETERANS
>>>>> AFFAIRS.
>>>>> Section 901 is amended by adding at the end the following new
>>>>> subsection:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "(f)(1) The Secretary may not prohibit the use of a covered service
>>>>> dog
>>>>> in
>>>>> any facility or on any property of the Department or in any facility
>>>>> or
>>>>> on
>>>>> any property that receives funding from the Secretary.
>>>>>
>>>>> "(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered service dog is a
>>>>> service
>>>>> dog
>>>>> that has been trained by an entity that is accredited by an
>>>>> appropriate
>>>>> accrediting body that evaluates and accredits organizations which
>>>>> train
>>>>> guide or service dogs.".
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nagdu mailing list
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>>>>>
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