[nagdu] Meghan Whalen: Attack on service dog points to need for responsibility

[Janice Toothman]

That is horrible. I am studying the psychological effects of trauma in 
my counseling class this semester and I know that a single incident can 
cause symptoms of Postraumatic stress disorder.  While the first several 
weeks can be significantly distressing and the symptoms may persist for 
several months. But for a third of victims their symptoms can resolve on 
their own without clinical assistance after several months.

Meghan, I know that this is a difficult time for you and your guide dog. 
I would suggest patience before deciding that he and you should no 
longer work as a team, because both of you need time to heal. However, 
you know the situation best.

I also agree with Steve that we need to fight for legislation to protect 
our guide dogs from interference. This needs to be done in every state.

Take Care,
Janice
On 12/15/2012 7:16 PM, Ginger Kutsch wrote:
> Meghan Whalen: Attack on service dog points to need for responsibility
>
> Source:
> http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/opinion/mailbag/meghan-whalen-attack-on-ser
> vice-dog-points-to-need-for/article_1c086292-4653-11e2-ada6-0019bb2963f4.htm
> l
>
>   
>
> I originally moved here to go to school, and I stayed because I fell in love
> with the city. The vast majority of Madison residents are open-minded and
>
> respectful.
>
>   
>
> I am blind, and it was a breath of fresh air to find a lack of people who
> judged me based on my blindness or wanted to pet or otherwise interact with
> my guide dog.
>
>   
>
> But a serious issue came up recently. I was walking with my guide dog, and
> an aggressive dog came out of its yard and attacked my dog. It was 30
> seconds of terror for me as I tried to give my dog enough room to defend
> himself or get away. I couldn't let him go, because I was on a busy street.
> As a result of the attack, he has some bruising and swelling and one small
> puncture wound.
>
>   
>
> The physical trauma is upsetting enough, but my bigger concern is the
> psychological trauma for my dog and myself. He is already showing signs of
> being fearful of other dogs. He growls when he hears another dog bark, and
> he is very jumpy. I am reluctant to work him for fear of how he may react if
> we come across another dog on our walks.
>
>   
>
> I hope that those who share their lives with dogs will do all they can to be
> responsible. A few seconds of bad judgment may have cost my partner and
> companion his career. He is not yet three years old, and we should have many
> years ahead of us.
>
>   
>
> - Meghan Whalen, Madison
>
>   
>
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