[nagdu] Restraints and other hazards for guide dogs on Buses

Marion Gwizdala blind411 at verizon.net
Thu Jan 5 14:45:57 UTC 2012 

Lyn,
    Some, though I don't believe all, of our buses have similar restraints 
as you describe; however, like the clasp on a seat belt that doesn't retract 
into the mechanism, the hooks of the restraints do not retract. Sarge got 
his leg stuck in the hook of one of these restraints and hurt himself when 
he got up.
    Also, my previous dog and I were sitting just behind the rear exit door. 
The grab bar that attached to the ceiling had a rounded 90-degree bend in 
it. Her leg slid between the floor and the horizontal bar that attached to 
the wall and got stuck. it could have been very dangerous if someone was 
disembarking and didn't notice her leg. She didn't get hurt, but she was 
very distressed at being trapped!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 4:13 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Seating on Public Transit


> Marion,
> Poor pup!  Our wheelchair restraints never have been a problem.  The 
> restraints retract into this long metal thing just like a seat belt in a 
> car.  For me, my dog gets really stepped on if we are in the other seats. 
> Landon's back end goes right into the foot space of the seat behind us so 
> I avoid those seats. there's barely enough space for my own legs!
>
> Everyone, what are the seats like on your buses and where do you like to 
> sit while riding the bus with your dog?
>
> 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: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 6:02 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Seating on Public Transit
>
>
>> Lyn,
>>    Just for your information and that of others who may choose to sit in 
>> these seats, my dog avoids those seats. On two occasions, he has gotten 
>> his foot caught in the hooks of the wheelchair restraints. The last time, 
>> he hurt his leg so badly it bled and he limped for two days!
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 5:39 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Shepard Guide Dogs
>>
>>
>>> Hi Marion,
>>> I even have trouble getting Landon into the seats that face forward 
>>> behind the wheelchair section.  Landon has long legs and a long body and 
>>> I usually sit in the "handicapped" section at the front of the bus so I 
>>> can either put Landon sideways under the bench seats that face the 
>>> middle or I'm in the front facing seat that flips up if a wheelchair 
>>> user comes on. He back end is under that seat and his front end is under 
>>> the side facing bench seat.
>>>
>>> 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: Saturday, December 31, 2011 6:44 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Shepard Guide Dogs
>>>
>>>
>>>> Lyn,
>>>>    so far, I have not encountered a situation with a vehicle where 
>>>> Sarge didn't fit; however, I do sometimes have problems getting him 
>>>> into the seat of some of our buses. They are beginning to make them 
>>>> like airplanes with not a lot of room between the seats. For that 
>>>> matter, My wife and I even have a little difficulty with those seats 
>>>> because of our long legs!
>>>>
>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>> Marion
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Friday, December 30, 2011 4:40 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Shepard Guide Dogs
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Marion,
>>>>> I once saw a German shepherd guide dog puppy that was being raised for 
>>>>> Guide Dogs for the Blind.  I'm sure that dog wound up the same size as 
>>>>> your dog! This dog was one of the last shepherds that GDB has trained.
>>>>>
>>>>> How on earth do you ever fit him in one of those tiny cars most people 
>>>>> drive now?  Or in the back of a cab where there's barely enough room 
>>>>> for human legs - never mind a dog?  Real curious!
>>>>>
>>>>> Great your dog is of Polish stock.  My sister-in-law had an Arabian 
>>>>> horse of Polish stock.
>>>>>
>>>>> 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, December 29, 2011 6:29 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Shepard Guide Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Mark,
>>>>>>    My German Shepherd is a very unique dog from most of what people 
>>>>>> are accustom to seeing, since he is directly from German stock. His 
>>>>>> sire was a European champion. Actually, Sergeant is a Polish 
>>>>>> Shepherd! (grin) His face is predominatly black, he stands 30 inches 
>>>>>> at the shoulders, and weighs in at just under 110 pounds. I expect 
>>>>>> him to fill out to about 125 pounds. his front paws are the size of 
>>>>>> my hands and I have pretty big hands! He is certainly a handful to 
>>>>>> work; then, again, they say that runs down the leash! Good luck with 
>>>>>> your Shepherd!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>>> marion Gwizdala
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>> From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
>>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
>>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 8:35 PM
>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Shepard Guide Dogs
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Shepard Guide Dogs
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Does anyone know why guide dog training schools have gotten away 
>>>>>>> from training shepherds?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I have always wanted to get a GSD because I just think they are 
>>>>>>> amazing. Also, I am hoping that it won't be a food hound, or 
>>>>>>> attention hound. Hopefully, people won't want to pat the dog that 
>>>>>>> looks like it could eat them for a snack. Just kidding, Fidelco 
>>>>>>> isn't giving me a guide Grizzly Bear. I just hope the dog I get is 
>>>>>>> not an attention magnet.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Mark J. Cadigan
>>>>>>> Electrical Engineering Department
>>>>>>> Suffolk University
>>>>>>> kramc11 at gmail.com
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
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>>
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