[NAGDU] Convention Relief Issues, was Re: Just a thought

Tue Apr 26 15:47:49 UTC 2016

Just out of curiosity, do you have an official count of how many guide dog teams attend all or part of the NFB convention? I know it’s been steadily increasing over the last 10 years but has it really reached over 200? Over 100? 

Not challenging, just asking for actual statistics. 

I ask this because the *Other convention* historically has around 200 to 400 teams, most of who are officially registered and maybe another 50 who aren’t, or didn’t register as guide dog teams. They do have a voluntary donation with a fixed amount, but you can always give more. I want to say it starts at $15. I don’t have figures on exactly how much they receive each year from this donation box on the registration form. 

All the same issues arise at that convention as well, nothing  new there. 

I think the worst possible situation was our 1994 convention in Chicago. Right downtown, around 600 registered guide dog teams and the closest grass was literally blocks away across very busy streets. Obviously it’s a memorable point for anyone who was there. 

On 4/26/16, 11:09 AM, "NAGDU on behalf of S L Johnson via NAGDU" <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org on behalf of nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:

>Hello:
>
>My issue is that none of my dogs have ever wanted to use the relief areas at 
>conventions.  They treated the wooden box as an obstacle they should avoid. 
>When I tried to to insist they get into the box, it created a lot of stress. 
>I found it much easier to find a quiet area of grass and all was fine.  NFB 
>should just add any cost of lawn care into their budget for the convention. 
>After all, our poor dogs don't understand why we will not let them use the 
>grass like they do at home.  I have heard there are products that you can 
>add to your dogs water or food that will cut down on the acidity of the 
>urine and damage to the lawn.  I realize as a guide dog handler we are 
>responsible but, when planning something as large as the NFB convention with 
>hundreds of dogs, you should expect some extra costs.  Conventions can be 
>stressful enough on our dogs without having to deal with relieving issues 
>too.
>
>Sandra and Eva
>
>-----Original Message----- 
>From: Dan Weiner via NAGDU
>Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 11:26 AM
>To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>Cc: Dan Weiner
>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Just a thought
>
>Couldn't care whether you find it tiring or not, buddy, that's the reality
>I've dealt with.
>I realize you have contract obligations and I totaloly appreciate your point
>of view but I'm afraid it's either that with one of my past dogs or never
>going ot the bathroom, then you will tell me how tiring it is that my dog
>relievs himself on a floor of the hotel or concrete.
>And yes, I'llclean up after my dog--smile.
>
>Dogs are living cretures, not robots.
>
>Having said that, I realize it's a different perspective when you or the NFB
>leadership have to negotiate and deal with complaints and all that and I
>thank you for explaining it. But I'm afraid it'll just have to be for those
>of us who are having problems at any given convention. Important thing is
>for the dog to relieve and in an appropriate area and when we need them to.
>
>
>Yours warmly,
>Dan
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of NAGDU President
>via NAGDU
>Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 10:21 AM
>To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>Cc: NAGDU President
>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Just a thought
>
>Dan,
>
>When we get 350 - 400 dogs in one place, it becomes problematic when
>everyone chooses to find a grassy place to relieve their dog, since the
>grassy area one person chooses is usually the same grassy area others
>choose. Urine is very acidic and kills the grass. When that happens, the NFB
>is required by contract to pay damages incurred by their conventioneers.
>Coupling that with a large number of people using that same grassy area and
>not picking up or failing to pick up all the waste creates a very smelly
>problem. With all due respect, we are in charge of our dogs, not the other
>way around. If our dogs do not like the relief areas, find a way to get them
>use to it. We hear the same excuses for not using the relief areas every
>year and, frankly, they are tiring. Perhaps if our guide dog users were
>required to pay a surcharge for bringing a dog, they would feel the
>challenges we feel having to pay for those who act irresponsibly. Of course,
>we would never charge such a surcharge, as that would be both illegal and
>unethical. But so is damaging another's property by irresponsible behavior.
>
>Fraternally yours,
>Marion Gwizdala
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Weiner via
>NAGDU
>Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 6:50 AM
>To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>Cc: Dan Weiner
>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Just a thought
>
>Only thing I'll say iis that many dogs don't like the relief areas, I
>appreciate that the effort is made to havea designated area, but sometimes
>I'd just take a walk outside and choose a grassy area, the important thing
>was that my dog relieved himself.
>Everyone needs to handle things differently depending on themselves and
>their dogs.
>
>Dan the man
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via
>NAGDU
>Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2016 10:58 PM
>To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>Cc: Cindy Ray
>Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Just a thought
>
>At the national convention there are lots more people and dogs than there
>are at, say, a state convention. Sometimes the htoels are bigger, but often
>it is harder to get about through the crowds with a cane or a dog. You are
>there much longer than at a small convention, like say a state convention on
>the weekend. A state convention is a good place to start. But you yourself
>have to do things to keep the stress down. None of my dogs has had a problem
>much with conventions except crazy Wayne, and in Detroit he did not want to
>go in the small relief area on tenth floor, so he chose the carpet. I was
>traumatized, but it was what it was. You do have to help to keep down the
>stress.
>Cindy
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of d m gina via
>NAGDU
>Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2016 7:36 PM
>To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>Cc: d m gina <dmgina at samobile.net>
>Subject: [NAGDU] Just a thought
>
>Pilot shared with the class taking a dog to a national convention could ruin
>a dog.
>OK I excepted that, where a thought came to mind.
>They have a weekend where if you can go to the small convention please come.
>My question is this,
>A hotel is a hotel. No matter what convention it is.
>Why couldn't the same dog stress out as would happen at a national
>convention?
>Just thinking out loud.
>
>I am seeing my girl grow up.
>First we don't like our tail stepped on.
>I have tried to get her to put her but under the table.
>No way she says, not wishing to do this.
>After so many steps on her tail, she was more than glad to turn around.
>Interesting for me, or as I call it entertaining.
>
>--
>--Dar
>skype: dmgina23
>  FB: dmgina
>www.twitter.com/dmgina
>every saint has a past
>every sinner has a future
>
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