[NAGDU] working with consumers in their private homes

Thu Jan 12 19:45:29 UTC 2017

In thinking about this further, perhaps one approach that I might take in the future which would effectively kill two birds with one stone, is to first go without the dog. This way, during the visit I can ask them for the future if my dog will be welcome. However that would also give me the chance to assess the situation for myself to see if I would even bring my dog in the first place.

--
Raul A. Gallegos
Assistive Technology Trainer - RGA Tech Solutions

Mobile: 832.554.7285
Work: 832.639.4477
Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
Work Email: training at rgats.com

“Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” – David Thornburg

> On Jan 12, 2017, at 1:41 PM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Marsha, I had never thought of some of the things you mentioned in your message, but I did know that it is the right of the people in those homes to ask you not to bring their dogs into the house. Their home is a private place, so they can ask you to not bring in the dog. After reading Marsha's message, I'm kind of thinking I would not do this anyway unless it was a home where I had been a number of times and I knew that the place would be OK for my pup. 
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Marsha Drenth via NAGDU
> Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2017 1:37 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Marsha Drenth <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] working with consumers in their private homes
> 
> Raul,
> I am a social worker, that goes into the homes of consumers who are blind, visually impaired and deafblind. I generally have to bein their home around 2 hours at a time. The very first time I visit a person in their home, I asked the consumer first just like others have suggested and they were okay with me bringing in my guide into their home. Once I got there, the conditions of the home were not pleasant. All of the consumers I work with are adults. So that first time, my dog layed on the floor of that home when there were bugs crawling all around. I always visit a home with my assistant so they let me know of this information. Being respectful of that person and their home, I could not put down newspaper or cancel the appointment. Fortunately my puppy did not pick up any thing from that home as she was inspected completely after that visit. Now, if I visit a consumers home, I NEVER NEVER NEVER take my guide with me. I have been in homes that were spotlessly clean and other homes that were worse than the very first one. Going into a consumers home you could be exposed to bed bugs and fleas or other issues. I always use a specific tote bag when I visit consumers, again so that if I am exposed to anyth9ing, I can wash it. As a social worker, it is not my place to judge that person on their cleanliness, but if a consumer asks for help with that topic I will help them get the services and skills to do a better job. 
> 
> Hope that helps
> 
> Marsha drenth
> email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com
> Sent with my IPhone
> Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone. As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary. 
> 
>> On Jan 12, 2017, at 12:57 PM, Raul A. Gallegos via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello all. I'll be starting my home training in early February, just after Washington Seminar. I'm hoping to see some of you there by the way. As for my question, due to the nature of the work that I do, I travel frequently to the private homes of consumers I work with. What are my rights and the rights of the customers in a situation such as this? For example, if we were to meet in a public place, such as a library or place of work, there is no issue. However, if the customer doesn't want a dog, guide or otherwise in their home, what is a solution? I'm certainly no attorney, but my initial guess would be that the person has the right to refuse a guide dog in their own private home regardless of whether it's for training purposes or a personal visit. However, I also would like to get some positive discussion going here when it comes to this situation, which i know will come up.
>> 
>> Thanks.
>> 
>> --
>> Raul A. Gallegos
>> Assistive Technology Trainer - RGA Tech Solutions Voice and Text: 
>> 832.554.7285
>> Office: 832.639.4477
>> Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
>> Work Email: training at rgats.com
>> Twitter: @rga7285 and @RGATrainer
>> 
>> “Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” - 
>> David Thornburg
>> 
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