[nagdu] Bruce Cole and Quincy

[Criminal Justice Major]

Hi, all,
Here is something in regards of a similar post I wrote yesterday.
I had to wait until I was given the okay from the sender first.
Bibi, husband Dale and son Odie
medical alert service dog
the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
Sent: Friday, May 11, 2012 5:18 PM
Subject: Bruce Cole and Quincy
Hi all,
I'm new here and joined the list largely because I direct a legal advocacy, education, awareness program dedicated to all types of Service Dog Handlers. The ProBoneO Program can be found on FaceBook and at www.proboneoprogram.com
I will take a moment to say that The ProBoneO Program exists for the benefit of everyone here and so many others. I've got a Master's from Bonnie Bergin, have had SDs of my own for about 15 years and I would love to be posting a wonderful, happy, note of introduction instead of what I'm about to post.
The whole situation SUCKS. My team and I are exhausted and running on fumes, but I wanted to wait to post here until we had more to offer you all.
Some of you down Florida way may have caught this in the news, but I want to quickly let everyone know that Mr. Bruce Cole's (Fidelco trained) Guide Dog, Quincy, died last week after having been attacked by other dogs. The details were extremely convoluted at first, but I will just give you guys links to all of the information that is currently public.
All of the news links are on the FB page, but I've pulled out a couple for anyone who doesn't use FB.
http://www.facebook.com/QuincyColeGuideDog 
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/sun_coast/sarasota_service_dog_death_reaction050512
http://video.heraldtribune.com/video/1632623319001 
Mr. Cole is getting help that ranges from legal to media relations and all sorts of things, but part of why I am writing to all of you is that I'm SURE we're missing something. Yes, I have spoken to Bruce and asked him directly what he thinks he needs and wants - mostly he wants to to try to make sure that no other Service Dog handler ever has to go through what he's going through now. He's, understandably, in shock. He's a proud man and was VERY independent with Quincy. He's very suddenly at quite a loss and without much of a support network, so we're open to thoughts and ideas of ALL sorts. I'm sure that "when dogs attack" conversations have been had in the past, but perhaps it is time for another round of brain storming on ways to try to avoid stories like Bruce and Quincy's.
Dailyah Rudek