[nagdu] Dog separation at vet

Wed Feb 8 19:20:55 UTC 2012

Rob,
Is it that the staff did not make you feel comfortable?
My sister is a vet tech, and I'll ask her what the protocol is when dogs go beyond the "I'm here for my shots" visit.

I did have to take my second Leader Dog to the emergency vet one night. I don't remember much about it, other then that I was very scared, and so was my husband. It was one of the first times I think I saw him scared which is interesting as he isn't a dog person.
I don't remember if they took my dog to do something or not. I do remember they were very respectful, showing me what i needed to be aware of, speaking in a kind voice, assumming that I could manage things when we got home, v. assumming my husband would do everything, things like that.

I don't like to use the word "like" in discussions like this because you aren't there to like each other. You are there to take care of a situation.

It sounds like either the student didn't explain things well, you are too emotional to hear a reasonable answer and agree that while you don't like it, it is what needs to be done, or you went in like a bull in a China shop.
As for your concerns about your dog, he's smart. He knows that going off with random people isn't going to be part of what you expect.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tami Kinney
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 2:13 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Dog separation at vet

Bobby,

Wow! What a pickle. I would be going absolutely nuts and writing for
advice, etc., too!

Legally, I will leave those more knowledgeable to tell us all about such
a situation. I'm clueless!

As for your causes for concern all around... I decided when my poodle
was still a pup but shoiwing all the promise of turning into a really
great guide dog (if I didn't muck it up), I determined that we would
follow certain rules for those times I need to have a professional lay
hands on her or do something to her... That decision was based on all of
the concerns you mentioned.

In other words, I think they're all completely valid and even important!
/grin/

So here is my general policy and procedure. Pretend I'm speaking to the
person who is about to perform something on my dog, so I used the
pronoun "you" to mean that imaginery person. /smile/

First, I don't care who ya are or what profession you are in, you take
the leash when I hand you the leash. Period. Mitzi won't go with you if
you take the leash out of my hand, and I am going to be a pain in your
but standing in your face between you and her, using my cane as an
additional barrier while I reach for the leash back with my other hand.
/lol/ Okay, that's only happened once, and we worked it out. I think the
vet tech was pretty miffed, but... Okay, I trained the Petco groomers in
the same rule, too, but they were more agreeable. I've just made it a
point to make it a point before there is a problem there. /smile/

If I am not comfortable with you, I do not hand you the leash. If it
seems the poodle is not comfortable with you, I do not hand you the leash.

Before I even consider turning my dog over to your care, I will go over
a list of rules with you and give you the reasons. Your response will
help me determine if I will hand you the leash or walk out. I will be
demanding and/or b*tchy about it, while smiling and saying please and
thank you. I'm not trying to be confrontational and rude, but I most
definitely mean business!

If at all possible, I will be there for all procedures. If you have a
valid reason for taking the dog into a back room, you can first convince
me your reason is valid. I don't actually care about my legal rights in
that case. It's my decision whether you take my dog into a back room. If
I get a whiff that there is reason for concern and discomfort, then I
walk away and so does my money. I will say it that way as I walk out.
See above re: kinda b*tchy. I'm not fooling around with this dog, I'm
not being a silly blind woman. I am responsible for this dog, her
training, her health, everything. And that is that. /smile/

This usually works for me, BTW. Go figure. /lol/ I guess I manage to get
the right balance between firm and courteous with just a hint of
underlying h*ll b*tch. And I communicate clearly that this is a dog with
a whole lot of training that I depend upon. Also, she has a really
difficult, stressful job and I will not have her stressed out in a way
that will cause her further stress on the job. Etc. /smile/

I was nervous when she went in for a spay a few weeks after she came to
live with me, although I had gotten to know the vet and staff well
enough that I was fairly comfortable. She still adores going to the
vet's office, so I am happy with that. I did leave her a time or two
when she was having the UTIs, and she was still fine and happy. Whew! I
haven't had to leave her with my new vet, except for short things. She
was still having infections when we went to this vet out here, so I did
have some firm words and made myself a bit of a pain about being with
the dog for sterile samples. They were concerned that I would be fussy
and be in the way and etc. and this would be inconvenient for them.
/lol/ Oh, of course, my presence would upset the dog... Um... None of
this was said rudely, and the vet tech is actually really professional
and kinda forthright and firm... I like her! We could just connect on
the same level that way. /lol/ She told me how it is, I told her how it
is, we went from there. I went in to manage the dog so they could take
the sterile samples. /smile/ Mitzi still loves going to the vet, so that
is what is important to me. I am happy with the way we both are treated,
with the way Daisy was treated so that she learned to love the vet's
office and all. /smile/

Anyway, sorry for ramble. I'm just giving my thoughts and decisions and
how I have carried them out to the best of my ability. There are times,
like the one you are having now, where our dogs will have to be at least
partially out of our control. That's a nasty decision, when it comes to
your dog's health! Is there a right or wrong decision? Who knows?

Hope your pup is well and being well-treated and is returned to you
without emotional scarring or anxiety. Also that the tests turn out well!

Best,

Tami

On 02/08/2012 10:26 AM, Robert Hooper wrote:
> Hello all:
>
> I find myself in a difficult situation. Bailey has an appointment with the dermatology folks at the OSU vet clinic-they are examining a recent skin infection he has contracted. Anyway, I was told that I could not accompany him back to dermatology-the reasoning being that there were other animals back there and OSU would be liable for any injuries I might suffer. They said they don't generally allow clients (people) back into the hospital area with their animals and seem very strict about it. I asked if they could make any exception because of the fact that Bailey is a service animal, but they were unwilling. They are having me wait in the lobby. Even after I explained that my mobility would be impaired if I had to go anywhere, they were unwilling. The senior student with whom I spoke was very kind and understanding, but she was the "go between"-I couldn't speak with the folks in dermatology before and it doesn't appear as though I will be able to do so when Bailey returns.
I know that he can't help me much while being examined, but I would be there, his harness would be there, etc. Not knowing what my rights are, I finally surrendered-I removed his harness and handed over the leash (which was pretty difficult). My concerns about my traveling ability aren't the only reasons I am reluctant to surrender the dog to anyone. I don't want him to think it's okay or "normal" for anyone to take hold of his leash and lead him away; I don't want him to feel comfortable with other people (not necessarily afraid, just not comfortable being surrounded by strangers); I want to ask the examining staff questions directly and not wait until after the fact; and I just don't care for him undergoing painful skin scrapings without me present. Although, on further reflection, he might realize that strangers leading him away results in pain, so maybe this is a good thing (but I don't think so). Anyway, I was wondering what my rights would be in this situation-I know th
e ADA covers all public accommodations, but the "general public" isn't generally allowed where Bailey is going-therefore, I don't believe I am being discriminated against because of my blindness, etc. However, there is the issue that I am separated from my means of mobility. This sort of muddies the waters a bit, and, not being intimately familiar with the text of the ADA (or other applicable laws), I'm not sure what to think or what my rights are. I'm sitting in the lobby writing this message right now, waiting for Bailey's return.
> Also, are the aforementioned reasons for my reluctance to be separated from Bailey valid? Need I be concerned about any of my...well...concerns? I feel confused in more than one way-legally and from a training/behavioral/emotional perspective. Any guidance would be relieving.
> Sincerely,
> Robert Hooper
> Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu<mailto:Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu>
> The Ohio State University
> 0653 Buckeye-Cuyahoga CT
> 653 Cuyahoga Court
> Columbus, Ohio 43210
> (740) 856-8195
>
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