[nagdu] our efforts with zoos

Sun Nov 23 18:14:33 UTC 2014

Hi folks,
Interesting the zoo issue has come up again.  I have gone to the zoo with or 
wiothoout my dog.  I have had no problems at all.

Yes, I have had a docent with me.  They have ensured the safety of both 
myself and the zoo animals.  They are there to know when animals are getting 
upset and we move on.  In my experience, most of the animals are very 
curious because they see very few dogs but do see tons of kids.  Last I 
knew, there are a coouple of areas off limits to dogs - the aviaries and the 
petting area.

Yes, the ADA gives us the right to bring our dogs but we have to use common 
sense here.  Not all service animals are comfortable in a zoo environment. 
Our dogs MUST be displaying impeccable behavior in a zoo.  I don't kmow 
about any problems with the fakes though.  I haven't been to the zoo for a 
couple of years. Also, YOU have to be comfortable in working a dog at the 
zoo.  If you are uptight, that will travel down the harness to the dog. 
Just know yourself, your dog, and remain calm!  If it isn't for you to bring 
your dog, don't.  There's no right or wrong thing here.

I will be at TSE in December training with my new dog!  I will try to post 
some on the NAGDU Facebook page - nothing real detailed.  I will not have 
access to any of my lists.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving!

Lyn
"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: "Becky Frankeberger via nagdu" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Aleeha Dudley'" <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com>; "'NAGDU Mailing List,the 
National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2014 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] our efforts with zoos

> 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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