[nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
Sun Nov 3 14:35:10 UTC 2013
Marion,
Let me correct one tiny thing in your post.
GDF does investigate complaints. We do so, however, by first communicating with the graduate about the nature of the complaint. Was it a possible misunderstanding of someone not understanding a correction? Was it a personal matter using the dog as something against the handler, as in some domestic situations? In other words, did the complaint have nothing really to do with the dog but was a personal issue?
Our next step is often to offer assistance via a home visit, if complaints continue or the matter cannot be resolved. These visits are never done without the full cooperation of the graduate. We don't spy on people.
If there is still a question or the complaint involves serious abuse charges, we do contact the local authorities in charge of animal abuse complaints. This is so rare I can only think of 3 instances in the nearly 6 years I've worked there, when we've had to do this.
We encourage anyone who says during a complaint that others also have issues with the team to have those other people contact us. We do not take anonymous complaints, that is definitely true.
Hope that helps. I do think that the goal for most of the schools, if not all of them, is to keep teams safely together.
Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com
http://www.twitter.com/jeninems
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of National Association of Guide Dog Users
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2013 11:20 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Laura,
The Guide dog foundation transfers full ownership to the consumer upon completion of training, unless there are issues that need resolution once training is completed. In such cases, the issues are outlined and the period of time is agreed upon to resolve the issues. In addition, GDF does not accept anonymous complaints of neglect or abuse. If allegations of abuse or neglect are made, the complaintant is required to divulge their name and the local jurisdiction in which the allegations are made are notified to investigate them. GDF does not investigate the complaints themselves.
In the interest of full disclosure and as per my mistaken message to the list, I am a GDF consumer. I chose GDF because of their ownership policy and their community placement program. I will also state categorically, that should an issue arise in which GDF acted unethically or in a manner that compromises a consumer's rights, I would not deal with them any differently than I would any other training program.
Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of ichoosechrist2 at gmail.com
Sent: Saturday, November 02, 2013 9:31 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dog Schools
Hello list,
What is guy dog foundations ownership policy? Thank you for your time.
Lora
Sent from my iPhone
> On Nov 2, 2013, at 7:14 PM, Brandydp <brandydp at verizon.net> wrote:
>
> 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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