[nagdu] FW: Soul Searching

Tina Thomas tinadt at sbcglobal.net
Sun Jul 8 18:46:41 UTC 2012


Hello Marsha- 
Some of those cane users were rude to not only guide dog users but also cane
users. This mostly happened with the people with low vision and those who
considered themselves to be high partials who had no cane skills what so
ever, but they wanted to direct those of us with no vision to places in the
hotel. I found myself having to put my ambassador's hat on several times
and put them in their place. Trust me I and the other ambassadors had had
just about enough of them by mid week. It was totally ridiculous.  
Tina       

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 9:59 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Soul Searching


Hi cindy, I am sorry to hear about the troubles with your pup at convention.
I guess what bothers me even more than the trouble, is that another handler
would be rude to you about your pups troubles. I heard others at convention
being rude to guide dog handlers. People who use canes, have no tolerance
for us or our dogs. Its very sad. But I also ran into handlers who were not
aware of what their dogs were doing, who would get stepped on, ran into, or
hit. Perhaps that is something we as a division need to dicuss at our next
convention, is tolerance of guides and the handlers. We still have alot of
NFB members who think that by us using a dog, we are not independent, or we
are lower in rank than them because we choose to use a dog. We as nagdu must
change that attitude or thinking. 



just my two cents  

Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone

On Jul 7, 2012, at 10:25 PM, Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com> wrote:

> Some of those who judged me were, in fact, other handlers. However, one
particularly vocal one may have had some experiences that had created fears
for her beyond what my dog was doing. But, Bibi, thanks. I do appreciate
your kind words.
> 
> CL
> 
> On Jul 7, 2012, at 10:15 PM, Criminal Justice Major wrote:
> 
>> Hi, Cindy,
>> Despite the rough parts during convention, I'm glad you had fun though.
>> Perhaps the reasoning for Fischer's growling or barking may be a sign of
stress and probably being too enclosed.
>> I remember one time during an ACB/GDUI convention four years ago in
Louisville, KY, I came across a guide dog team where the handler seemed
friendly and she was good for keeping on her dog.
>> Once we all got into an elevator, her dog started growling and despite
hard corrections and quiet, nothing worked.
>> She seeked help and advice from a GDF instructor.
>> I recommended her to do that since they were the ones who trained her
guide dog and they would know what's best.
>> I was honest with the handler, explaining that I was sensing her dog was
enclosed and didn't like the feeling of being cornered.
>> Here comes the real truth.
>> One thing I, wish, is people who aren't dog handlers would stop judging a
handler unless they see both the team working at all times.
>> Just because a dog may bark or growl doesn't make a blind or other
individuals with disabilities bad handlers, especially given that they are
trying to really work hard with their dog.
>> Yes, a dog's bark can be scary, if you're not expecting it.
>> For those who were trying to claim that you're not controlling your dog,
how about they stop, put themselves in ours or the dog's shoes to see how
they feel when they stress out.
>> i'm only saying this because I've had moments where I've just had to stop
and think about Odie's feelings on how or what he feels.
>> Once I started doing that among talking to him, it helped the two of us
more.
>> Also, please don't blame yourself for this happening as you had no idea
how your partner was going to react and it's possible that he just may not
like huge amount of activities like crowds and being enclosed by too many
other dogs.
>> When you do place a call to TSE, I do hope they will be able to help you
out and be honest with sharing your feelings.
>> The more you're able to communicate, the better it will go for all
involved.
>> Please keep us posted on how it all goes and if there's anything I can do
to help or offer suggestions or advice, feel free to write me off list at:
>> orleans24 at comcast.net
>> Again, you're not a bad handler and things like this can happen to
experienced users too.
>> Bibi
>> _______________________________________________
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> 
> 
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