[nagdu] the GDF ownership contract terms

Fri Mar 16 14:21:43 UTC 2012

Also, I think being aware of the training style of a program could help 
a future guide dog user decide on a school.

On 3/16/2012 8:07 AM, Julie J. wrote:
> Jenine,
>
> If you could talk about GDF training style/approach on list, I would 
> be forever appreciative.  Like Robert this totally fascinates me.  
> Over the years I've developed my own training style.  If I can figure 
> out which program my own style most closely matches it would be one 
> more thing to help me choose should that day ever come.
>
> Thanks much!
> Julie
> On 3/15/2012 9:11 PM, Robert Hooper wrote:
>> Hello Jenine:
>>
>> I must admit that you intrigued me when you said that GDF's training 
>> methods are different than most other schools--would you terribly 
>> mind elaborating on that (off-list, if you feel it necessary)?  I am 
>> a psychology and neuroscience major, thus the researcher inside me 
>> perked up his ears after reading your message.
>>
>> Robert Hooper
>> Hooper.90 at buckeyemail.osu.edu
>> The Ohio State University
>> 0653 Buckeye-Cuyahoga CT
>> 653 Cuyahoga Court
>> Columbus, Ohio 43210
>> (740) 856-8195
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of Jenine Stanley
>> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 9:37 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] the GDF ownership contract terms
>>
>> R.J.
>>
>> We offer home training under very specific conditions and on an 
>> individual basis. This decision is made only after someone submits 
>> and application and is accepted for training.
>>
>> We do not generally offer or recommend home training for first-time 
>> handlers.
>>
>> I will usually advise people who have been to other schools that home 
>> training is probably not the best option as some of our techniques 
>> are very different. I think Southeastern and GDA are closest to our 
>> training model and the next closest schools are Guide Dogs NZ (New 
>> Zealand) and Guide Dogs of South Africa.
>>
>> Marion had a relationship with our former Chief Training Officer, 
>> mike Sergeant which also helped his case for home training. It was 
>> also based on his work situation.
>>
>> Mike Sergeant is no longer with us and we have a new Director of 
>> Training, Anne Mercer, who operates under different protocols for 
>> choosing things like who is eligible for home training. The Selection 
>> Committee ultimately decides this issue based on the person's 
>> application, phone and in some cases home interview and a host of 
>> other factors.
>>
>> One of these factors that plays into home training is your proximity  
>> to one of our field staff. We currently  have field staff in Georgia, 
>> Florida, Virginia and New England.
>>
>> Hope that answers your questions.
>> Jenine Stanley
>> jeninems at wowway.com
>> http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of RJ Sandefur
>> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 9:26 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> 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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