[nagdu] the GDF ownership contract terms

Fri Mar 16 12:06:06 UTC 2012

R.J.,
    GDF generally offers community training to veteran guide dog handlers on 
a case-by-case basis.

Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RJ Sandefur" <joltingjacksandefur at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 9:25 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the GDF ownership contract terms


> Marion, You keep refuring to comunity training. When and under what 
> conditionsdo they offer this? RJ
> ----- 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, March 15, 2012 9:08 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] the GDF ownership contract terms
>
>
>> Jenine,
>>    My statement was not meant, in any way, to  imply that I "bargained" 
>> with my agreement. What I meant was that GDF offered community training, 
>> something I was seeking as I did not have the ability to attend a campus, 
>> so I compromised my own interest for the terms of the contract. As for 
>> the breed of dog, I requested a German Shepherd and was told one was not 
>> available, so I agreed to whatever dog was best suited for the work it 
>> would do for me. Around the time they were looking for a match for me, I 
>> was advised a Shepherd was coming available and I was asked if I would be 
>> willing to wait a little longer for a dog so they could finish the 
>> Shepherd and see if he would work for me.
>>    as for the term of the agreement referring to the age, I will need to 
>> find my agreement and look at it again. I'm not sure where I got the 
>> "five-year-old" provision, but it sticks in my head for some reason. I 
>> will let the list know what I find.
>>
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Jenine Stanley" <jeninems at wowway.com>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 4:00 PM
>> Subject: [nagdu] the GDF ownership contract terms
>>
>>
>>>I would like to speak to the terms Marion quoted regarding ownership and 
>>>the
>>> contract we require for all graduates of the Guide dog foundation.
>>>
>>> Marion stated that his contract said that if the dog was less than 5 
>>> years
>>> old, we would require that it come back for evaluation. He also stated 
>>> that
>>> he agreed to this term in order to get home training and receive a 
>>> German
>>> Shepherd.
>>>
>>> I wanted to clarify a few things about these statements. I have worked 
>>> at
>>> the Foundation since 2008 and our ownership agreement has not changed 
>>> since
>>> then. I was also on class to receive a dog during that time and have a 
>>> copy
>>> of my own such agreement. The actual term from the contract used for 
>>> every
>>> graduate of our program receiving ownership states:
>>>
>>> "If within twenty-four months after placement I choose to discontinue 
>>> use of
>>> the dog as a Guide Dog for the purpose trained, I will inform the 
>>> Foundation
>>> immediately. The Foundation has the option to evaluate and reassign the 
>>> dog
>>> to another qualified recipient."
>>>
>>> this contract is standard and is not modified for the purposes of 
>>> bargaining
>>> or receiving specific services, breeds of dog, etc. Each graduate 
>>> receives a
>>> copy of this contract in print and on CD in MS Word in the Going Home
>>> packet. The contract is signed by Wells B. Jones, our Chief Executive
>>> Officer, and any other agreements or promises outside of this signed
>>> contract related to ownership are not valid.
>>>
>>> We determine length and location of training based on very individual
>>> factors such as ability to work with a guide dog,  availability of 
>>> staff,
>>> location of applicant, etc.
>>>
>>> though we try to honor breed and gender preferences, the safety of the 
>>> team
>>> is the most important factor. If our instructors feel we do not have a 
>>> dog
>>> of the breed and/or gender that will appropriately match the applicant's
>>> needs, we will not place just any dog of the preferred breed or gender.
>>>
>>> If you have any further questions about our application procedures, 
>>> please
>>> contact me off this list. Please know that we will not discuss 
>>> individual
>>> graduates with anyone and that terms for custody versus ownership upon
>>> graduation are confidential and made on an individual basis.
>>>
>>> Jenine Stanley
>>> Consumer Relations Coordinator
>>> Guide Dog Foundation(R)  and America's VetDogs (R) the Veterans K-9 
>>> Corps
>>> (R) Providing Second Sight since 1946
>>> 371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787
>>> Office: 631-930-9000,
>>> Toll-free: 866-282-8047
>>> Fax 631-930-9009
>>> jenine at guidedog.org
>>>
>>> To make a donation that can change a life... contact the Guide Dog
>>> Foundation(R) at www.guidedog.org or America's VetDogs (R) the Veterans 
>>> K-9
>>> Corps (R) at www.vetdogs.org
>>>
>>> Visit us on facebook at:
>>> www.facebook.com/GuideDogFoundation or www.facebook.com/AmericasVetDogs
>>>
>>> Jenine Stanley
>>> jeninems at wowway.com
>>> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>
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>
>
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