[nagdu] Concerns with training Centers in General

[Michael Hingson]

Larry,

Right. There is always room for improvement, but if we begin from the point
of view of "anti-dog" and "discrimination" when such is not really the case
then progress will not be made. I think we do need to have a good
broad-based discussion, but let's begin by getting the perspectives of the
center directors including learning what they really know about guide dogs.
I am sure any issues can be resolved. We also need to make sure people
really understand what the centers do and why they do things as they do. 


Best Regards,


Michael Hingson

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of larry d keeler
via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2015 5:34 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: larry d keeler <lkeeler at comcast.net>
Subject: [nagdu] Concerns with training Centers in General

My biggest concern is when in training centers, whether NFB or state run,
there seems to be a shortage of people who understand dogs,. Not only the
dog but also the bonds that form between dogs and handlers. Also, O and M
instructors seem to lack the knowledge or don't know how to adapt the
training to include dogs. When a friend of mine went to the training center
over in Kalamazoo which is state run, she ran into handlers that in my
opinion shouldn't have been in charge of themselves let alone they're dogs!
One was snatching food, knocking folks over and whining a lot. She couldn't
bring it to meals because she really couldn't control it. The training
center didn't seem to know how to deal with the problem so, they just had
her lock her dog in as much as possible and seemed to ignore it. The point
is that maybe if centers could have a person on hand who could help retrain
or reeducate the team, maybe things could have went smotother for everyone!
As far as NFB, I really never thaught about it until about 2010. I got
invited to a chapter meeting and liked what they presented. When I went, I
was leery because I'd had Holly for a year or so. I had heard from older
members of NFB as well as the other organization and even sighted folks that
NFB was anti dog. Even now from non dog users who are younger I get folks
who don't understand about how they work. I was asking my good friend who
moved to Iowa about what he thaught of the whole NFB training center dog
thing. He had no idea why we couldn't keep them crated up all day long! He
said that the building is quite small and why would you need a dog to help
you around in there! I couldn't really argue that because unfortunately for
this stand, I've been known to get around just fine with or without a cane.
I did mention the differences in cane versus dog travel and also about the
bonds we develop as a team. He wasn't really impressed. He was not being
discriminatory on purpose but, he is certainly ignorant of how dogs work. I
did bring my dog to the first chapter meeting and another guy who I knew
oused a dog left his at home. I asked him why and he told me he didn't know
if people would accept the dog. I told him if they didn't they could all get
hanged! Well, I found out about nagdu and that dog use was getting a lot
more respect than it used too. But, it has become obvious that we have som
work to do!

_______________________________________________
nagdu mailing list
nagdu at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nagdu:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/mike%40michaelhingson.com