[nagdu] Guide Dog Schools

Sun Nov 3 03:03:08 UTC 2013

Oops! I replied to your message thinking it was an off-list message, as well! In any case, the list now has the information I have concerning training program agreements!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brandydp
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2013 9:15 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools

Let me appolotize for that email.  I just hit reply to go to Marion and not reply all.  On yahoo talk lists hitting reply makes it just go to the sender but apparently not this one.  I was not trying to school bash.   I know many happy fidelco users and if was getting a shepherd would probably go there   The contract is just very different from what I have seen.  

brandy pinder
Alumni Council -  second vice Chairman
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc® and America's VetDogs®, The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc® Providing "Second uSight"® since 1946

371 E. Jericho Turnpike smith town ny 11766
Cso: 866-282-8047
Email: brandydp at verizon.net
Cell: 304-685-4499

On Nov 2, 2013, at 9:06 PM, Brandydp <brandydp at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hello Marion, 
> I was wondering if you could send me all the agreements or if they were available somewhere   I am a gdf grad and began learning about the nfb through Cheryl echevarria   Upon looking at fidelcos agreement it is a little strange.  It basically states you must continue feeding their food and I dislike their photo consent being in this agreement   It should be signed before class.  So what if photos aren't permitted they take my dog.  Interesting   I am also on gdf's alumni council so this stuff interests me.  
> 
> brandy pinder
> Alumni Council -  second vice Chairman Guide Dog Foundation for the 
> Blind, Inc® and America's VetDogs®, The Veteran's K-9 Corps Inc® 
> Providing "Second uSight"® since 1946
> 
> 371 E. Jericho Turnpike smith town ny 11766
> Cso: 866-282-8047
> Email: brandydp at verizon.net
> Cell: 304-685-4499
> 
> On Nov 1, 2013, at 7:40 AM, "National Association of Guide Dog Users" <blind411 at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
>> Mike,
>>   I am happy to hear that you have had nothing but good experiences 
>> with Fidelco; however, the fact is that Fidelco employs policies and 
>> practices that are extremely paternalistic for the 21st century. Two 
>> specific issues with Fidelco are their practice of making surprise 
>> visits to consumers and, when consumers object, reminding them of 
>> their contractual ability to remove the dog. Here is that clause 
>> directly from Fidelco's agreement, the text of which is attached to this message in its entirety.
>> 
>>    (d)  I agree that Fidelco may repossess the dog in the event I do 
>> not comply with this agreement, in the event I do not provide proper 
>> and humane care for the dog as determined by Fidelco in its sole 
>> judgment, or for any other reason as determined by Fidelco in its 
>> sole and absolute discretion.  In such event, title to the dog will 
>> revert to Fidelco automatically at Fidelco's option.
>> 
>> There are a number of other issues with the agreement, however, this 
>> is the most troubling of them!
>> 
>> Fraternally yours,
>> 
>> Marion Gwizdala, President
>> National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
>> National Federation of the Blind
>> (813) 626-2789 (Office)
>> 888-NAGDU411 (Hotline
>> President at nagdu.org
>> www.nagdu.org
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike
>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 1:58 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>> 
>> As a Fidelco client I completely disagree with the statement that 
>> Fidelco has contract issues. The issues are definitely personal and 
>> not Fidelco's fault.
>> I have had nothing but good experiences with Fidelco over the last 
>> three years and I know a lot of people who feel the same way. There 
>> are a certain handful of folks on this list who have personal issues 
>> with Fidelco and tend to be much louder than the people who have good experiences.
>> You should definitely read the contract to make sure you are aware of 
>> the rules. That is the case with any guy dog school. Just keep an open mind.
>> Every school has good and bad things. Every school has someone who 
>> loves them and hates them. I'd recommend that you decide what breed 
>> you want, see what school meets your needs the best, and go forward from there.
>> 
>> 
>> Mike
>> 
>>> On Oct 31, 2013, at 12:18 PM, "Larry D. Keeler" 
>>> <lkeeler at comcast.net>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> First, watch out for Fidelco! They have contract issues. Before you
>> decide, make sure you read and understand the contract. The other 
>> thing, schools when possible do give you a choice. Now always can 
>> they accomidate but usually they can. I went to Pilot because I 
>> wanted a poodle. They breed them down there. However, I ended up qith 
>> a labradoodle wich is almost as good! As for training at school or at 
>> home, I think it would be more useful to train at hom. But, if you 
>> know your neighborhood, it doesn't matter as much.
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shickeytha Chandler" 
>>> <shickeytha at gmail.com>
>>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 11:44 AM
>>> Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Hello all,
>>>> 
>>>> I am new to the list. I currently travel with a cane, but am very 
>>>> seriously considering getting a guide dog in the near future. I am 
>>>> doing research on guide dog schools to see which might be best for me.
>>>> I am considering Fidelco, Guiding Eyes and the Seeing Eye. Does 
>>>> anyone on this list have either particularly positive or especially 
>>>> negative experiences with any of these schools? If so, I would be 
>>>> interested to hear your feedback. Also, I noticed that Fidelco does 
>>>> training at your residence, whereas the other schools bring you to 
>>>> their campuses for training. I would like to hear perspectives 
>>>> about the disadvantages and advantages of each of these methods of training.
>>>> 
>>>> Finally, I know that various types of dogs are trained as guides, 
>>>> ranging from labs to German Shepherds. I would like to know if 
>>>> schools give you a choice as to what type of dog you are paired with.
>>>> Also, I would be interested to hear from anyone who has worked with 
>>>> dogs of various kinds; I'd like to know your thoughts as to whether 
>>>> there are distinct qualities that one breed possesses that another 
>>>> breed does not generally possess. Of course, I am sure all dogs are 
>>>> unique, even within a breed type.
>>>> 
>>>> I know that is a lot of questions for one email. Thanks in advance 
>>>> for any insight that you can provide.
>>>> 
>>>> Shickeytha
>>>> 
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>>> 
>>> 
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>> <Fidelco Agreement (Text).txt>
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