[nagdu] Leader Dogs' ownership policy & More

[Marion Gwizdala]

Marianne,

	When Leader announced this policy change at one of our NAGDU
meetings, the reason they gave was the same as what you were told. When I
looked at the facts, I found that Craig Miller, the person who kicked his
Labrador retriever, Inky, to death, had Inky for well more than three years.
Even if Leader had a two-year probationary period, Mr. Miller, who was by
all accounts an upstanding individual (he even ran for mayor of his city),
would likely have been granted ownership before the incident occurred. Even
if not, I fail to see how an ownership policy would have prevented this
tragic incident. If you read the NAGDU archives, you will find a lengthy
discussion of this issue. 

	Now, here's an interesting addition to this story. When Leader was
questioned two years ago on their ownership policy, the explanation was that
many guide dogs were becoming obese and their two-year probationary period
was in response to this issue. Perhaps their change of tactic was in
response to NAGDU's extensive discussion of this topic and their realization
that their explanation did not hold water. So, which is it? We will likely
never know; however, no matter what their explanation, NAGDU will continue
to press all guide dog training programs to institute transfer of real
ownership upon completion of training as the policy of all programs. I say
"real ownership" to differentiate between ownership and Fidelco's Executive
Director's arrogant explanation of "Paragraph D, like dog" (Elliot Russman's
own words) that states fidelco has the right to repossess a dog at any time
and for any reason at their sole and absolute discretion. And why not? In
the words of Julie Unwinn, Fidelco's Chief Operating Officer, because blind
consumers should have no say in policies, especially when the services they
receive are not paid for! 

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala, President
National Association of Guide Dog Users Inc.
National Federation of the Blind
(813) 626-2789
(888) 624-3841 (Hotline)
President at nagdu.org
http://www.nagdu.org

High expectations create unlimited potential for the blind!



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marianne Denning
via nagdu
Sent: Monday, March 16, 2015 9:30 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Leader Dog dog ownership policy

Good morning.  I went to Leader Dogs for a visit last Friday and asked my
graduate contact about their ownership policy.  Leader Dogs maintains
ownership of the dog for 1 year and then it is given to the blind handler.
You do not need to request ownership of the dog after the year.  Many of you
may remember that several years ago, a blind man became very drunk and beat
his dog guide to death.  That dog was from Leader Dogs and that was when
their policy changed.  At first they maintained ownership for 2 years and
you had to request ownership be turned over, but that changed again in 2013
to the current policy.
I don't like this policy but I hate the idea that anyone would beat their
dog to death.
--
Marianne Denning, TVI, MA
Teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired
(513) 607-6053

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