[nagdu] PETA & Service Dogs

Wed Jul 25 22:14:56 UTC 2012

Welcome to my world.  PETA acts just like the homophobes and transphobes I 
have to listen to all the time.  It is a shame when supposedly normal brains 
REFUSE to open up and allow new ideas in!

Now, if we all could take the lead from our furry friends and be loving 
UNCONDITIONALLY, wouldn't the world be a much more pleasant place for us 
all?

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie McGinnity" <kaybaycar at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] PETA & Service Dogs

> Hi all,
>
> Marion is talking about a concept that we learned about last semester
> in critical thinking.  It's called fanatical closure, and it means
> that your mind is clinging to a belief so tightly that it won't let in
> reason or argument of any kind.  Obviously, if those at peta refuse to
> open their minds after reading Marion's well-reasoned, kind letter,
> they may not be worth our time.  Personally, I don't know how people
> can say such illogical, even horrible things about us and our animals
> without getting to know how we work with them, but somehow, I doubt
> I'll ever understand.  If they refuse to find the truth by listening
> to us, then their thinking is scued, and we should stick to trying to
> educate those who want to learn.
>
> On 7/25/12, Debbie Cole <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Wed, Jul 25, 2012 at 12:16 PM, Chantel Cuddemi <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> A classmate of mine from Pilot told me that he was stopped once by a
>>> person
>>> from Peta and he said that they said he was abusing his dog by having 
>>> him
>>> in
>>> that leather harness.
>>>
>>> Peta is really crazy for thinking we're  abusing our dogs by working 
>>> them
>>> in
>>> harness.
>>>
>>> Motley enjoys working when he's in harness. A lot of people here in
>>> Cincinnati understand that he's a guide dog and know not to pet him.
>>> They've
>>> never told me at all that I am abusing Motley by working him in the
>>> harness.
>>>
>>>
>>> I really wish Peta would really change their way of thinking on this.
>>>
>>> Just my thoughts,
>>>
>>> Chantel and Pilot Dog Motley, poodle
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf
>>> Of Larry D. Keeler
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 3:10 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] PETA & Service Dogs
>>>
>>> Not just PETA does that!  I corrected Holly at the church one day 
>>> because
>>> she decided to sniff, look and generally block the door just before 
>>> mass.
>>> I
>>>
>>> corrected her nd my mother-in-law got really bent out of shape.  Holly
>>> did
>>> let the line threw though!
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 2:42 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] PETA & Service Dogs
>>>
>>>
>>>>I had a lady just really go off on me because I corrected Fisher from
>>>>goingunder a table in a restaurant !sniff out and eat crumbs. Pretty
>>>>amazing what they do.
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Jul 25, 2012, at 11:34 AM, "Margo and Arrow"
>>>> <margo.downey at verizon.net>
>>>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> also, how about the times Peta and other radical animal rights groups
>>>>> set
>>>
>>>>> animals free who haven't lived in the wild and the animals die.  How
>>>>> about the fact that they have been known to actually kill animals.
>>>>>
>>>>> these groups have all the answers and don't listen to reason.
>>>>>
>>>>> Margo and Arrow
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Hicks"
>>>>> <bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 9:23 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] PETA & Service Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Marion.  Excellent job explaining our stance and that of our 
>>>>>> loving
>>>>>> and dedicated partners!  Yeah!  thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bob Hicks
>>>>>> Access Technology Specialist
>>>>>> Seeing Hand Association, Inc.
>>>>>> 304-232-4810
>>>>>> <bob at seeinghandassociation.com>
>>>>>> ----- 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, July 25, 2012 7:32 AM
>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] PETA & Service Dogs
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> William,
>>>>>>>   I am of the belief that no amount of factual information can
>>>>>>> overcome
>>>
>>>>>>> the irrational ignorance of those who have radical beliefs. In their
>>>>>>> strive for "ethical treatment of animals", PETA ignores the
>>>>>>> fundamental
>>>
>>>>>>> fact that dogs are happiest when they have a job to do, especially
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> working breeds that are used as guide dogs. In the past, they have
>>>>>>> promulgated a great deal of misinformation and, in spite of our
>>>>>>> providing them with accurate information, hold fast to their radical
>>>>>>> beliefs.
>>>>>>>   Pasted below is a response to PETA I wrote in january 2009 in
>>>>>>> response to some of their radical, misinformed assertions about how
>>>>>>> guide dogs are treated.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>   Dear Ms. Nachminovitch,
>>>>>>>   As the President of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, a
>>>>>>> strong and proud division of the National Federation of the blind, I
>>>>>>> felt compelled
>>>>>>> to respond to your very misinformed comments about guide dogs. The
>>>>>>> biggest problem we face as blind people is the misunderstanding and
>>>>>>> lack of information
>>>>>>> that exists. This is true about guide dogs, as well. It is
>>>>>>> unfortunate
>>>>>>> that you choose to promulgate the myths that create barriers to our
>>>>>>> full inclusion
>>>>>>> in society on terms of equality. It is also unfortunate that you
>>>>>>> compromise the integrity of People for the Ethical Treatment of
>>>>>>> animals
>>>
>>>>>>> by making such
>>>>>>> foolish assertions. By doing so, you call into question the veracity
>>>>>>> of
>>>
>>>>>>> any valid information published by PETA.
>>>>>>>   In an effort to set the record straight, guide dogs are not "kept
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> harness 24/7". The truth is that guide dogs are only in harness when
>>>>>>> they are working.
>>>>>>>   As to your assertion that our dogs are virtually disposed of when
>>>>>>> they are no longer able to "serve" their handlers, the fact is that,
>>>>>>> more often than
>>>>>>> not, our dogs live out their lives with their blind caretakers. As 
>>>>>>> an
>>>>>>> example, my previous guide dog worked until he was fourteen years 
>>>>>>> old
>>>>>>> and lived out
>>>>>>> the remainder of his sixteen years with me. My current guide will
>>>>>>> soon
>>>>>>> be twelve years old and is enjoying her semi-retirement by lying
>>>>>>> under
>>>>>>> my dining
>>>>>>> room table on the cold tile floor where she loves to lie.
>>>>>>>   As for your statement that guide dogs are never given the
>>>>>>> opportunity
>>>
>>>>>>> to romp and play, my guide dog plays with the two other dogs in our
>>>>>>> household
>>>>>>> and with the guide dogs of my blind colleagues on a regular basis.
>>>>>>>   Petting a guide dog is discouraged while it is working, as doing 
>>>>>>> so
>>>>>>> is a distraction to its work; however, when the harness is off, my
>>>>>>> family, especially
>>>>>>> my three-year-old granddaughter, is welcome - even encouraged - to
>>>>>>> pet
>>>>>>> and play with my guide dog.
>>>>>>>   PETA would also like the public to believe that guide dogs are
>>>>>>> forced
>>>
>>>>>>> against their wills to work for a blind person because that promotes
>>>>>>> its radical
>>>>>>> agenda. The truth is that it further demonstrates PETA's ignorance 
>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>> canine behavior. Dogs are, by nature, pack animals and each animal 
>>>>>>> in
>>>>>>> a
>>>
>>>>>>> pack has
>>>>>>> a job. Guide dogs enjoy their work and become excited when the
>>>>>>> harness
>>>>>>> is presented to them! My guide dog comes running when the harness is
>>>>>>> taken off its
>>>>>>> hook by the door and slips her head into it, excited at the 
>>>>>>> adventure
>>>>>>> to come! unlike the pet that stays at home with absolutely nothing 
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> do - quite
>>>>>>> contradictory to the nature of a dog - our animals get to spend most
>>>>>>> of
>>>
>>>>>>> their time with their "alpha dog"! By the way, my dog doesn't care 
>>>>>>> if
>>>>>>> anyone else
>>>>>>> pets her because I give her all the love and attention she could 
>>>>>>> ever
>>>>>>> want! Furthermore, when the weather is bad or the place i am going 
>>>>>>> is
>>>>>>> not conducive
>>>>>>> to my guide, she stays at home where she again, lies in her "cave"
>>>>>>> under the dining room table and probably romps and plays with our
>>>>>>> other
>>>
>>>>>>> dogs!
>>>>>>>   In summary, PETA is fabricating lies to justify their irrational,
>>>>>>> radical stand. I realize that this correspondence will probably do
>>>>>>> little to convince
>>>>>>> PETA of the truth nor cause them to retract their lies or alter 
>>>>>>> their
>>>>>>> stand. they are too entrenched in their misgivings that the facts
>>>>>>> would
>>>
>>>>>>> only confuse
>>>>>>> them. however, this correspondence is offered to present the facts 
>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>> those willing to consider rational, accurate information.
>>>>>>> Sincerely yours,
>>>>>>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>>>>>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>>>> National Federation of the blind
>>>>>>> president at nfb-nagdu.org
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "William Vandervest"
>>>>>>> <timelord09 at att.net>
>>>>>>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 7:28 PM
>>>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Fw: [MSB-Alumni] Fw: Smartphone-Friendly Innovation
>>>>>>> HoldsPromise of Freeing Dogs From Involuntary Service
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> i just received this on another list, anybody heard of this before?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There are none so blind as those who will not see
>>>>>>>> William And ld Lynard
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Steve
>>>>>>>> To: msb-alumni
>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 2:39 PM
>>>>>>>> Subject: [MSB-Alumni] Fw: Smartphone-Friendly Innovation Holds
>>>>>>>> Promise
>>>
>>>>>>>> of Freeing Dogs From Involuntary Service
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: Sieghard Weitzel
>>>>>>>> To: viphone at googlegroups.com
>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2012 2:48 AM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Smartphone-Friendly Innovation Holds Promise of Freeing
>>>>>>>> Dogs
>>>>>>>> From Involuntary Service
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hello Listers,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I came across this article and am pretty shocked by it, I did not
>>>>>>>> know
>>>
>>>>>>>> that there are people and apparently organizations out there who
>>>>>>>> consider guide dogs as providing an "involuntary" service which 
>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>> apparently consider to be animal cruelty. I don't really have the
>>>>>>>> connections and the time, but I hope maybe some people on this list
>>>>>>>> do
>>>
>>>>>>>> advocacy sort of work and may look into this. The biggest joke is
>>>>>>>> that
>>>
>>>>>>>> this research seems to be geared towards getting around inside
>>>>>>>> buildings which of course would be great, but apparently these 
>>>>>>>> folks
>>>>>>>> don't think much about how much a dog helps in getting around
>>>>>>>> outside.
>>>
>>>>>>>> Here is the article (hope the mods don't object since the article
>>>>>>>> refers to "smartphones" and not "iPhones", but of course we all 
>>>>>>>> know
>>>>>>>> how many accessible smartphone choices we have and I assume
>>>>>>>> something
>>>>>>>> like this, were it available, would not be a Windows Phone app!)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Smartphone-Friendly Innovation Holds Promise of Freeing Dogs From
>>>>>>>> Involuntary Service
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> For Immediate Release: May 14, 2012
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Contact: David Perle 202-483-7382
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> St. Paul, Minn.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) science team working on
>>>>>>>> smartphone
>>>
>>>>>>>> technology that will help blind people navigate on their own, even
>>>>>>>> gauging their pace and warning them far in advance of obstacles 
>>>>>>>> such
>>>>>>>> as a stairway, will present its invention at the IEEE International
>>>>>>>> Conference on Robotics and Automation in St. Paul on May 15 (the
>>>>>>>> second day of the conference). The team, headed by researchers Dr.
>>>>>>>> Eelke Folmer of the Player-Game-Interaction Lab and Dr. Kostas
>>>>>>>> Bekris
>>>>>>>> of the Robotics Research Lab, has won a PETA Proggy Award for
>>>>>>>> Leadership in Ethical Science. PETA's Proggy Awards ("Proggy" is 
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> "progress") recognize animal-friendly achievements.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "This new technology promises not only to give blind people the
>>>>>>>> independence they want but also could mean that dogs will no longer
>>>>>>>> be
>>>
>>>>>>>> bred for this type of service," says PETA President Ingrid E.
>>>>>>>> Newkirk.
>>>
>>>>>>>> "We commend the UNR team for developing 'eyes' for the blind that
>>>>>>>> are
>>>>>>>> both user-friendly and animal-friendly."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The low-cost system would enable blind people to navigate around
>>>>>>>> buildings using nothing more than a smartphone. Its software is
>>>>>>>> based
>>>>>>>> on the same technology that enables robots to navigate but uses the
>>>>>>>> person's stride length to track his or her movements. The system
>>>>>>>> uses
>>>>>>>> two-dimensional digital maps and the smartphone's built-in
>>>>>>>> components,
>>>
>>>>>>>> with the phone able to communicate what it "sees" using synthetic
>>>>>>>> speech. Upon initial use in a particular environment, the user
>>>>>>>> touches
>>>
>>>>>>>> certain landmarks. The smartphone remembers the information and is
>>>>>>>> able to give the user directions on subsequent visits.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> For more information, please visit PETA.org.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
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>>>>>>>> "VIPhone"
>>>>>>>> Google Group.
>>>>>>>> To search the VIPhone public archive, visit
>>>>>>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/.
>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to viphone at googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
>>>>>>>> viphone+unsubscribe at googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at
>>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
>>>>>>>> Groups "Michigan School for the Blind Alumni" group.
>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to msb-alumni at googlegroups.com.
>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
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>>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40verizon.ne
>>> t
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>
>> Ok I have to ask a stupid question...
>> What is PETA?  I'm a fairly new dog handler and am baffled
>>
>> --
>> warmly,
>>
>> Debbie Cole
>>
>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> -- 
> Julie McG
> Lindbergh High School class of 2009, National Federation of the Blind
> of Missouri recording secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
> and proud graduate of Guiding Eyes for the Blind
>
> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
> life."
> John 3:16
>
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