[nagdu] naming names was Owning guide dogs

Sat Aug 22 13:14:53 UTC 2015

I would have to agree with Julie here. I believe naming names makes
these personal accounts more relatable. It's usually easier for people
to imagine something happening when they have the most specific
information. It is more difficult to discount such a story when you
know exactly who is involved rather than just thinking of it as some
unknown program. That being said, the time scale is also important,
which Sandra was very clear about. There is a difference between an
account of mistreatment in the last few months or years where program
policies are unlikely to have significantly changed, and one that
happened decades ago. As you can tell from Sandra's story, there has
been a significant change in GDF's policies in the last fourty years.

Danielle and Thai
On 8/22/15, Julie J. via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I think naming names is a good thing.  I think it makes people accountable
> for their actions.  I think it also encourages thought before action.  Forty
> years ago, there was no internet and information was not as easily shared.
> Now that everyone knows as soon as they do something rude, inappropriate or
> offensive, they are going to be called out publically for it, they might
> just think twice before doing it.
>
> Of course, I am not encouraging gossip in any way.  Sandra wasn't gossiping
> though.  This was her personal experience.  She was not guessing or
> spreading rumors.  She was sharing her personal truth.
>
> There's also a big difference between sharing the facts of what happened and
> calling names.   One is honest and respectful and the other is judgmental. I
> view it like reading the newspaper, just tell me the facts and let me draw
> my own conclusions.
>
> I think we need to stop hiding behind brand loyalty and accept the truth in
> all it's colors.  No one complains when names are named in regard to some
> warm fuzzy story.  If it's okay to name names in that instance, then I don't
> see why it's not okay to name names when the going gets tough.
>
> Yes, what happened to Sandra was a long time ago.  She is clear about that.
> People change as do program policies.  GDF offers full ownership at
> graduation now.  It's important to acknowledge where we are now, but in
> order to do that we have to know where we came from.
>
> Julie
> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
> available! Get the book here:
> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jody Ianuzzi via nagdu
> Sent: Friday, August 21, 2015 10:27 PM
> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
> Cc: Jody Ianuzzi
> Subject: [nagdu] Owning guide dogs
>
> Hello Sandra,
>
> I was very disturbed to hear of your experience having your guide dog taken
> from you.  I think that it is very important  for guide dog handlers to be
> given full ownership of their dogs to avoid this kind of situation.
>
> that said I was also disturbed to hear of your account blasting the school
> and trainers by name.  Your experience was unfortunate but it happened 40
> years ago and does not reflect on the way the school or the trainers behave
> today and bring negative responses today for something that happened 40
> years ago.
>
> I was also trained by John Byfield in 2005 and I have been in contact with
> him recently.  He is an amazing man.  He began training dogs in 1957 and he
> is still actively training dogs and handlers today. I just got a message
> from a friend who completed training with her guide dog today.  He is a
> legend in the international guide dog world and I believe he is the best of
> the best trainer of dogs and handlers.
>
> Please, what happened 40 years ago was a long time ago and I think John
> Byfield and GDF should be judged on all they do today, not by what happened
> in the past.
>
> Perhaaps your story would accomplish more by recalling your feelings of
> helplessness and sorrow rather then naming names and blaming the school.  A
> lot has changed in 40 years.
>
> JODY 🐺
> thunderwalker321 at gmail.com
>
> "There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."
> DOCTOR WHO (Tom Baker)
>
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