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

Cindy Ray cindyray at gmail.com
Mon Dec 17 01:19:45 UTC 2012


I think we will always have concerns about whether or dogs will be attacked. I agree that often people are thoughtless. I think the main issue for me here is real empathy and sympathy for you, Megan. I can only imagine the trauma that comes with the experience. I only pray that you and your pup will soon be healed totally from it.

CL

On Dec 16, 2012, at 7:15 PM, Margo and Arrow wrote:

> 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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> 
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