[nagdu] Veterinary assistance

Lyn Gwizdak linda.gwizdak at cox.net
Sat Apr 13 19:34:44 UTC 2013


Steve,
I think we are talking apples and oranges here.  we are talking about a 
person's ability to pay for the day-to-day thiings like dog food, regular 
yearly vet exam with vaccinations, groomer (if we can't bathe our own dogs), 
etc.  Then we are talking about the big stuff - allergy shots for severe 
allergies, surgeries, geriatic care when the dog ages, and other 
catastrophic things that can crop up and cost a huge amoount of money at one 
time and certainly not "routine care".  TSE wants its graduates to be able 
to assume the routine stuff in caring for the dog.

Many of us are low-income and do need some type of assistance so we can 
enjoy the ability to have mobility with a guide dog.  Like I said in another 
post, I use the CA monthly $50.00 for low-income service dog handlers and 
discounts offered by many vets nowadays.  However, I do assume the majority 
of my costs to take proper care of Landon.  I don't think getting assistance 
is being "dependent".  To me, dependence would be someone asking others to 
assume ALL costs of their guide dog or service dog.  After all, most of us 
are independent but usse some assistance in many forms to mitigate our 
disabilities - rehab to get technologies to enable us more independence.

As Kennith Journigan once wrote an article about independence after he was 
criticized for using sighted guide during a convention.  To him, 
independence is the knowledge of how to use one's resources - sighted help, 
technology, rides places, dog or cane.  He said that we are indepencent when 
WE are in control of using methods that work for us in any given situation.

I see the same here with the reality of ouor unemployment and poverty and 
under employment.  there's nothing wrong with a little help.

What I don't like is when a person gets a pet dog or cat and then asks for 
assistance for everything - even toys and food for the animal!  I have a 
friend who did this - just got a Chihuahua puppy without any thought as to 
how she would care for the animal.  She gets the dog and then asks me for 
resources to provide the care she can't afford herself.  the puppy isn't 
even neutered or had his shots yet.  I only have my guide dog and no other 
animal because I KNOW that I cannot afford to PROPERLY care for another 
animal.  I know another person who is skimping on her guide dog's care 
because she now got a cat.  these are things I have more of a problem with 
than if a guide dog school helps its graduatetes financially for some of the 
dog's care.

Hey! Great discussion!

Lyn and Landon
"Asking who's the man and who's the woman in an LGBT relationship is like 
asking which chopstick is the fork" - Unknown
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven Johnson" <blinddog3 at charter.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 1:14 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Veterinary assistance


> Ah yes, but as we look at the concept of independence, this most certainly
> throws a wrench into it, and from what I understand, the NFB philosophy.
> So, what I am hearing you say, is that is alright for someone to get a dog
> even if they cannot afford it, but still can depend on others to fund the
> cares?  I do believe one can call that dependence.  If a school does not
> screen for a person's ability to care for their dog long-term, then I
> certainly hope that they are not considered until they have a more 
> reliable
> means to cover those ongoing costs independently.  I am not arguing that a
> dog isn't  a great tool to get around, but if you can't afford it, then 
> you
> are living beyond your means.
>
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Ace
> Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 2:43 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Veterinary assistance
>
> Most schools that I am aware of project the annual cost of maintaining a
> guide dog. If that is an expense you are unable or unwilling to embrace 
> then
> perhaps you should consider another course of action. You may want to 
> pursue
> some other form of funding your Guide Dog expense, i.e. church, charity,
> local neighborhood funding, anything that can get you to your goal of
> mobility, what ever it takes, a Guide Dog is worth the effort.
> Ken & Ace
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Johnson
> Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 1:10 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Subject: [nagdu] Veterinary assistance
>
> Eve,
>
> Veterinary assistance is an interesting subject as I wonder how many feel
> that if one is not able to take care of a dog, then why even bother 
> getting
> one?  Kind of a like a car, a home, or any other type of property.  In my
> bias opinion, it is the responsibility of the individual, not the training
> program to care for the dog.  If a training program grants ownership upon
> graduation, then by all means, it is that handlers responsibility, and 
> that
> should be a term in the final ownership contract.  If the training program
> does not provide ownership until after 1, 2 or however many years, then 
> yes,
> subsidizing that cost may indeed be a part of the training programs
> responsibility with the caveat that after ownership is granted, it becomes
> their baby to take care of and care for.  I would be interested in hearing
> what others have to say, as any of us who have a guide realize that there
> are costs involved, and sometimes, significant costs especially if 
> something
> catastrophic or emergent occurs.
>
> Steve
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Eve Sanchez
> Sent: Friday, April 12, 2013 10:51 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide
>
> Just curious. Reading all the posts, there is a lot of mention of
> veternarian assistance. I am wondering if all the schools provide 
> assitance
> of some type. I heard specifically that GDA does and I know that Pilot 
> does.
> What of the others? As I said, just curious. Eve
>
> On Fri, Apr 12, 2013 at 8:46 AM, Eve Sanchez <celticyaya at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Oh I knew I would get it for that. It's just a personal prejudice I
>> guess. I wont own one. Never have. Well, I actualy have owned two dogs
>> that were each one quarter lab, but I didnt admit it often. Cant
>> really say as to why. Just experiences I have had I guess and dont
>> bother trying to change my mind. No one can. I have a golden retriever
>> right now. My last dog was a german shepherd. I know that not all dogs
>> in a breed are alike, but I cant get over my prejudice I guess. I do
>> know that for some reason I could tolerate yellows much better than
>> blacks so I am wondering if it might be a childhood thing.  Never
>> really thought about chocolates one way or another.  Well, sorry, but
>> that's how I feel. ;X Eve    Oh and I know it is not black dogs in
>> particular that I do not like. We had a black pitbull once that was a
>> sweetheart. Her name was Loca and she thought she was a chihuahua.
>> Again, sorry.
>>
>> On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 5:39 PM, Lyn Gwizdak <linda.gwizdak at cox.net>
> wrote:
>>> Hi Eve,
>>> What kind of dog do you have?  What do you not like about Labs? I
>>> like to hear why people like certain breeds or why they dislike
>>> certain breeds. Many schools are using Lab/Golden crosses now.
>>> Landon is one and he matches my red hair - and he has more grey than
>>> I
> have! LOL!
>>>
>>>
>>> Lyn and Landon
>>> "Asking who's the man and who's the woman in an LGBT relationship is
>>> like asking which chopstick is the fork" - Unknown
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eve Sanchez"
>>> <celticyaya at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 2:53 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide
>>>
>>>
>>>> I myself would not worry about the location unless you want your
>>>> training to double as a vacation. haha  I believe all schools will
>>>> take you no matter where you are with maybe a couple of exceptions
>>>> like one in NY and one in Texas. I myself chose based on multiple
>>>> things. The breeds available, the amount and type of training
>>>> avalable and yes, assitance and support afterwards. Ideally I would
>>>> have gone to San Rafael as I am from Northern Cal originally and
>>>> still have family right there, but I did not under any cercumstance
>>>> want a labrador (no offense people). The school I chose have a
>>>> variety of breeds, yes including poodles for the allergic. They also
>>>> have Dobermans, shepherds, boxers, labs, goldens, and vizlas. I
>>>> probably spelled that last one wrong. Once in a while they have
>>>> crosses like labradoodles. Most are bred for the program and some
>>>> are donations by breeders they work with. All are screened for
>>>> suitability. The training process is there at the facility as I
>>>> would have been very uncomfortable doing it at my home. Just me, but
>>>> as I was also in process of moving it made sense. Look at all the
>>>> schools online, call and talk to their staff, and make your own
>>>> decision. I could tell you that my school is best, but it may not be
>>>> best for you. Either way, be prepared, there will be people found
>>>> who could tell you what is wrong with each school. Again, judge for
>>>> yourself. I am also thinking you are not even sure at this point if
>>>> a dog is right for you. For this I will tell you the same thing.
>>>> When I struggled with this, I had some very opinionated people tell
>>>> me why I should not get a dog. I also had sympathetic wusses tell me
>>>> it would be wonderful for me to be taken care of. What finally
>>>> helped me decide was an incident in which I was left alone in a park
>>>> and had no idea where I was. I realized at that moment that, though
>>>> a cane helps me be safe, it does not tell me where to go. A cane is
>>>> also crappy companionship when on your own. When I am in an unknown
>>>> area with my dog, though some people say this is not true, I could
>>>> tell my dog to find the sidewalk or whatever. She will and then once
>>>> I have a landmark, I have my bearings and can go on from there. Yes,
>>>> a cane is safe, but a dog gets you places AND is safe. You decide
>>>> though and talk all that we say with what you think it is worth.
>>>> Blessed Be. Eve
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 12:10 PM, Chantel Cuddemi
>>>> <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> I chose Pilot Dogs because they trained standard poodles, the breed
>>>>> I chose to train with, and I also chose Pilot because they're right
>>>>> here in Ohio.
>>>>>
>>>>> Good luck with whatever school you choose.
>>>>>
>>>>> Chantel and Motley.
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Anjelina
>>>>> Cruz
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 10:31 AM
>>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] A cane user interested in a dog guide
>>>>>
>>>>> Good morning all,
>>>>> I am currently a cane user who recently has been interested in
>>>>> choosing a dog guide school. How did you choose your school?
>>>>> Thanks for any feedback.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Anjelina
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
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