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

[Margo and Arrow]

Meghan, oh my, this is so awful! Here's a hug!

Margo and Arrow



----- Original Message -----
From: Janice Toothman <janice.toothman at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" nagdu at nfbnet.org
Date: Sunday, December 16, 2012 6:19 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Meghan Whalen: Attack on service dog points to need for responsibility

>
>
> 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_1c086292-4653-11e2-141.6-0019bb2963fbled.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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> >
> 
> 
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