[nagdu] Guide Dog as Therapy Dog

Kaye Kipp kkipp123 at gmail.com
Sat Jun 27 02:22:58 UTC 2015


Do you read Braille?  If you do, it seems that it wouldn't shave any skin
off their nose to have it brailled for you.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of jaynewy4--- via
nagdu
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2015 6:06 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: jaynewy4 at aol.com
Subject: [nagdu] Guide Dog as Therapy Dog

Hi all
Since I retired, I have been seeking out a volunteer opportunity.  So when I
heard about a program across the street from me in which children read to
dogs, I inquired, as I thought it would be great to include my guide Poodle,
Dottie.  I had volunteered before in a program that encouraged young
children to read--I was sighted then.  But I also worked as an English
professor for ten years after losing most of my eyesight, so I am adept with
technology and told the volunteer coordinator that I could use the KNFB app
to help a child with vocabulary, and I would consider other options. For
instance, Dottie and I have visited sick friends in the hospital, and she
was a great comfort.  She can distinguish really well between working and
being able to socialize when I remove the harness.  

The group here, which is called New York Therapy Animals (an affiliate of
Intermountain Therapy Animals), has told me that their 200-page manual comes
only in printed form, and I must take a hand-written test, as they have no
other kind.  I asked them to accommodate me by having the material scanned
and to allow me to take the test on a computer, for instance, or with an
assistant, but after weeks of silence, they didn't address this issue at
all.  Instead, the coordinator wrote back, "One of the most important goals
for our programs is to teach the skills necessary to ensure the safety,
effectiveness and well-being of all involved (human client, handler and
canine alike). In the R.E.A.D. program, in particular, a handler is not just
a passive listener but must be an active participant to support the child's
efforts. It seems this would be difficult for a handler without sight."  

I am not really sure how to proceed with them and would appreciate any
advice fellow handlers could offer.  Should I be willing to scan in their
entire 200-page manual?  Should I ask them to have it recorded by Learning
Ally or another organization (Bookshare), not just for me but for others who
might be interested?  Or should I point out that 25 years after the ADA was
passed, they might adjust their attitudes--that we are not merely recipients
of social services? Am I misreading the implication that someone--others?
myself?--would not be safe because of my lack of  eyesight? They do know
that I was a professor for over 40 years and worked in a similar program.  I
also volunteered as a high school tutor for disadvantaged youth.

If others have had their guides become therapy animals, I would particularly
appreciate hearing from you or finding another group in my area that might
better appreciate what Dottie and I can offer.   

Thanks, all, for taking the time to read about this issue.  I haven't seen
it addressed before on the list, but let me know if I have missed any such
discussion.

Karla Jay, PhD, and Dottie, who would enjoy a new challenge in life.



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