[nagdu] our efforts with zoos

[Becky Frankeberger]

Aleeha, I copied and pasted the article in "the Braille Monitor to the
Seeing Eye list. I thought it was a wild discussion. Kind of let people put
their feelings out, and calm down as the animals will receive training to
ignore dogs as they ignore  screaming taunting kids. Well hopefully the zoos
will include such training. I used the example of a blind couple who both
have TSE dogs who want to take their three children to spend a day at the
zoo. Why would we deny this family this great opportunity to learn and have
an enjoyable day. Blind parents deserve the same opportunity as any other
parent or visitor to a zoo. It should be the parent's choice if they want a
docent or not. The zoo shouldn't follow us around like we are criminals. 

Everyone on list by the way cared that the animals be safe. So somehow both
dogs and zoo animals have to feel safe. So if the zoo trainers can
desensitize animals to screaming taunting kids, aka, prey, they can
desensitize animals to quiet well-mannered service and guide dogs.

Thank you Marion and NAGDU for taking up this wonderful learning adventure
for the zoos. 

Becky and his royal fluffiness  
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Aleeha Dudley via
nagdu
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 11:28 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] our efforts with zoos

Hi,
     Some discussion on another list made me think of this. I know that
NAGDU is working to improve access for guide dog handlers to zoos. I've
never taken my dog to a zoo, mainly because I think they're boring, but I
would like to know what the organization is trying to accomplish with this
effort. There was some concern on the other list, and frankly I agree with
some of it, that the dog's presence could upset the other animals or vice
versa. Could someone please fill me in on what policies are like now and
what we, as NAGDU, are trying to do?
Others' thoughts on this subject would also be appreciated.
Thanks,
Aleeha

--
Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Yellow Labrador Dallas Vice President, Ohio
Association of Blind Students
Email: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter at @blindcowgirl199

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.
- Arabian Proverb

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