[nagdu] Ownership of guide dog

[Brenda]

Hi Marion and list
I look forward to the completion of the NAGDU survey.  I never would 
have considered ownership an important issue until I started reading 
posts from this list.  Now, my first choices will be only full-ownership 
schools.  If I really find I like a school with a one or two year 
*probation* I may consider them, but I will focus on full-ownership schools.

I have one question - I thought GDF had something where if the handler 
dies within 5 years the dog must be returned to the school.  If this is 
true, this is not full ownership.  In this case, the family loses 2 
members at once.  I'm not sure If I read this on the NAGDU list via a 
post or actually on GDF's web site.  I hope NAGDU finds out what the 
true story is on this.

Brenda

On 3/13/2012 7:47 AM, Marion Gwizdala wrote:
> Brenda,
>    NAGDU is in the process of conducting a survey of guide dog 
> training programs and their policies. To the best of my knowledge, 
> Guide Dogs of America (GDA), Guide Dog Foundation (GDF), Southeastern 
> Guide dogs, and The Seeing Eye are the only programs that transfer 
> ownership upon completion of training. GDF has the option of retaining 
> ownership for a specified period of time in cases in which they are 
> unsure if the match will work out. Their approach is one of having a 
> trial period before making the decision. This is not their usual 
> policy; rather an option to give the consumer the chance to see if it 
> will work out. If there are any others, please let me know and, if 
> possible, provide the ownership agreement.
>    I am of the opinion that retaining ownership of a dog for any 
> period of time after completion of training as a matter of policy is 
> founded in paternalism. It sends a message that the program has the 
> belief blind people, as a group, must prove themselves worthy and 
> competent of this privilege. The premise is wrong and offensive to me 
> as a blind person. NAGDU is urging all training programs to transfer 
> real ownership to the consumer upon completion of training and to 
> implement due process policies for the repossession of the dog. to the 
> best of my knowledge, none of the programs who retain ownership have 
> any published due process for this purpose. Again, if my assertion is 
> incorrect, please provide me with evidence of this.
>
> fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brenda" <bjnite at windstream.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2012 9:18 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Ownership of guide dog
>
>
>> Can someone tell us the schools that have immediate ownership and 
>> those that have ownership after a year or two and those that retain 
>> ownership?The survey (can't remember the organization) of all the 
>> schools was done in 2006 and things have changed.
>>
>> then there is the issue of ownership if the handler passes on.  That 
>> dog becomes part of the family and the family loses two members at 
>> once.  Not sure I like this in the case of one school if the team has 
>> been together less than 5 years.
>>
>> In my research I have found only 2 schools giving full ownership and 
>> I don''t live in the right states for one of the schools.
>> Brenda
>>
>>
>> 3/12/2012 8:46 AM, Cindy Ray wrote:
>>> It is a shame to see a pet fat and lazy, or a guide fat and lazy for 
>>> that matter. If you have a pet, though, nobody takes it away from 
>>> you. You own it. The school has recourse even if you own the dog; 
>>> and dogs will be taken away from blind people if it is observed that 
>>> they are abusing them. It has been done. Also, animal rights 
>>> advocates will trounce on you all of the time for even using a dog 
>>> for a guide. If I have a pet dog and can retain ownership of it 
>>> right off, then the same should be true of my guide dog. Any time a 
>>> pet or guide or any service animal goes out to an owner, the is 
>>> potential for abuse. I don't want to see that and it is sad, but the 
>>> school's retaining ownership of that dog doesn't really solve that 
>>> issue so much.
>>>
>>> Cindy
>>>
>>>
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