[nagdu] Service Dog "Driver's License"?

[Buddy Brannan]

Hi Debbie,

Let me clarify a bit.

First, I have absolutely no problem with schools, program trained dogs, or the training the schools give their program trained dogs. None. At all. I'm not sure how much clearer I can be about that, and I've said so many, many times before. I have no beef with the schools and, in fact, have a great deal of respect for many of them, especially the one from where I got my current guide. I absolutely trust that the dog I would get form a program would be safe and effective, or else I'd go somewhere else. Fortunately, at least in the US, there are lots of places from which to choose. 

Where I don't trust *any* of the programs would be in drawing up fair and equitable certification criteria. Not only is it in their business interest to "corner the market" on the provision of guide dogs, there are certainly those in the profession who make it pretty clear how they feel about blind people daring to train their own guides. Certainly everyone's entitled to an opinion, but I don't trust anyone to look out for my interests where those interests may conflict with theirs. Would the schools absolutely draw up certification criteria that would, or could, unfairly discriminate against owner trainers, or even smaller programs? Maybe not, but the fact is, they easily *could* do so, and I don't see any particular reason that they'd have a reason not to. 

I can't speak for owner trainers in general, but I do not have, nor have I ever had, an axe to grind with guide dog training programs. My opinion on this really isn't even limited to those. In any case where some certifying body needs to be in place, I'd say the same thing: it cannot be composed solely of providers, because it couldn't be truly independent. 

In any case, this wasn't just my opinion because I decided to owner train. Fair's fair, really, and I don't see any reason why the programs would have a reason to protect, much less consider, the rights or capabilities of owner trainers. 

But really, I have one question. Why is this issue different from other issues? Why is it all right to "leave it up to the professionals" in this case, but on other matters, think NAC for instance, we're not content to do so? 

--
Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
Phone: 814-860-3194 
Mobile: 814-431-0962
Email: buddy at brannan.name




> On Nov 11, 2015, at 9:12 PM, Debby Phillips <semisweetdebby at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Buddy, I have to respond to part of your message.  If I didn't trust my school to train my dog, I wouldn't go there.  I think (and I mean no disrespect, it's just an observation), that some of you who owner train have a thing against the schools.  And I actually think that's unfair.  People have been being guided well by "program" dogs as many of you refer to dogs from schools, very well for many many years.  You have the right to owner train your dog, and I have pretty much kept my opinion about owner training to myself.  I don't know what the answer is to certification, showing ID from schools, etc.  But I truly am tired of hearing about how the schools are untrustworthy, etc.  The schools provide a service, just like any other school or training option.  People can freely choose to change schools if they find that the one they have received their current dog from is not meeting their needs.  As per Florida's service dog law, I think that's a great law, and other states should pass these own.  We can do more to educate businesses about their rights.  We can do more to show people that REAL service dogs are trained, and won't poop in their stores, or whatever.  Sorry, but if you choose not to get your dog through a school, that's your choice, but please be respectful of those who do choose to get their dogs through schools.  I really don't appreciate the snide remarks.    Debby