[nagdu] Ownership of guide dog

Tue Mar 13 21:07:48 UTC 2012

I'm empressed with GDB's approach. They have their contract on their 
website, so you know what you're getting yourself into before you even begin 
filling out the application. RJ
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brenda" <bjnite at windstream.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 13, 2012 3:12 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Ownership of guide dog


> 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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>>
>>
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