[nagdu] another comment from a board member

Sat Sep 8 19:41:09 UTC 2012

Hi all,

As NAGDU Vice President, let me add to Tina's comments.  Ann Edie wrote an
incredibly perceptive and right-on post this morning.  Her comments reflect
my thinking and they apply to all of us, especially those who have recently
come home with a new guide dog.  We ALL can learn from Ann's comments.

On the specific subject of traffic checks I will not pass judgment on any
process that helps improve a guide dog in training to perform proper
intelligent disobedience.  As we all know there are many techniques schools
can use.  I know that GDB uses different methods than TSE.  Some schools do
not instruct on traffic checks at all.  Rather than any of us passing
judgment go advocate for change at a school if you feel so strongly on the
subject.  However, DO NOT just condemn without knowing more and also please
remember that your comments on this list go out to all including those who
have not yet developed the confidence you may have in your dog and in your
team dynamic.

I think we have spent enough time on the current subject of traffic checks.
We also have spent enough time on passing judgment on a new team and its
confidence.  If you have positive things to say and instructive thoughts to
pass along then do so.  If not, let's all these threads to cool off.  No one
should feel they need to leave the list or stop discussing because of
exuberance on the part of others.  What any of us say may have consequences
we do not anticipate so think before you write.

We all have passion about our guides, our work, and our individual schools.
Let your enthusiasm shine through, but don't go overboard here.  Thanks for
reading. 

Best,

Michael Hingson

The Michael Hingson Group, INC.
"Speaking with Vision"
Michael Hingson, President
(415) 827-4084
info at michaelhingson.com
To order Michael Hingson's new book, Thunder Dog, and check on Michael
Hingson's speaking availability for your next event please visit:
www.michaelhingson.com

Congratulations to Roselle for winning the title of American Hero Dog, 2011.
Please visit http://www.herodogawards.org to participate in the 2012
American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards contest and to learn about the
American Humane Association.

To purchase your own portrait of Roselle painted by the world's foremost
animal artist, Ron Burns, please visit http://www.ronburns.com/roselle

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tina Thomas
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 10:24 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] NAGDU Board Member response I'm done

Hi All-
I am going to put my NAGDU board member hat on for this post. 
Now A post was written by someone asking for advice on their dog regarding
traffic and crossing streets with a new dog. Apparently the dog was
corrected in class for getting to close to the car, and the instructor
accidently hit the dog close to the eye area which caused the dog to shut
down for a sort down. However the post also stated that the dog bounced back
with in a week's time. Now the handler and dog are at home and going through
their daily routine and while on route the team was  crossing a street and
encountered some issues in the street. According to the handler, a
by-stander helped him get across the street after the dog stopped and was
starting to veer. Now not knowing the dynamics of the team and  to speculate
and focus on an issue that took place in class is and blame that one issue
for the situation that happened is irrational thinking being that none of us
know what is really going on with that team. Being that he is a graduate of
the Seeingeye, we did encourage him to call the school and get some feedback
for this situation because they do have the necessary information to best
assist him.  I the meantime there have been some exchanges between listers
on SE's method for traffic training. Some of us don't have a problem with
this approach and some us do. However, what has happened is that the person
who disagrees with the method is continuing to send the same message out
containing the same repertory information stating her disagreement with said
method. Now I did see a message that was a bit strong in its content
concerning this issue and I too wrote a message stating that we understand
your disagreement with SE's method but the message I posted concerning this
issue was not rude at all. We can't allow folks to clutter up the list with
the same repertory information in several consecutive messages. We have a
lot of listers and it is to much mail to go through and read  list mail
containing the same repertory responses.  Also, the moderator has asked that
this issue be dropped and I support her decision. Now if people are writing
privately and being disrespectful  to one  another over this issue, then
please do write the moderator and she will deal with it, but as of right now
this issue is dropped and let's move on. 
Thank you. 
Tina Thomas
NAGDU Board Member 
CAGDU VP.                       

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Shannon Dyer
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 8:24 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] I'm done

Hi, Jenny.

You have just as much right as anyone else to express your opinion. There
are people who won't agree, and who might even become hostile when you say
something that they don't agree with. However, that, too, is their opinion.
I'd like to think people can disagree in a civil manner, but this isn't
always the case.

Basically, I'm just saying that there's no reason you should feel stifled by
others. Say what you feel needs saying.

Shannon and Ace
Shannon Dyer
Alumni Council Member,
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc
R  and
America's VetDogsR,  The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc R Providing "Second Sight"
R since 1946
371 E. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787
Office: 631-930-9000, Toll-free: 866-282-8047 solsticesinger at gmail.com To
make a donation that can change a life...contact the Guide Dog Foundation at
www.guidedog.org or America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps at
www.vetdogs.org Visit us on facebook at: 
www.facebook.com/GuideDogFoundation or www.facebook.com/AmericasVetDogs

On Sep 7, 2012, at 10:18 PM, Jenny Keller <jlperdue3 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I am so sorry I have questioned the oldest and most reputable school 
> in the countries guide dog school
> 
> I will no longer voice my opinions, as I have gotten two rude and 
> uncalled
for responses to my opinions.
> 
> Just because a school, or organization, is the oldest and most 
> reputable,
doesn't mean they are GOD Almighty as far as infallibility.  
> 
> there are a lot of practices that occurred in old and well-known
institutions, and even this country, that were wrong and had to be changed.
> 
> Anyway, I'm finished voicing my opinions, as obviously no one wants to
hear them, and I'm not a graduate of certain schools who know much more than
I about dogs.  So I'll keep my mouth shut.
> 
> Jenny
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/solsticesinger%40gm
> ail.com

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