[NAGDU] Billings clinic

Wed Jul 19 18:46:15 UTC 2017

Hi, Dar. I am very sorry but I am having trouble understanding the
particulars of your story. I am unsure if English is a second language for
you? Or, perhaps you are dictating your post? I get the gist of your story,
but not the intricacies. Is PALS a paratransit service? The clinic is for
people or a veterinary clinic? Obviously the clinic can't have any rules
regarding the equipment that a guide dog does or does not use. A muzzle? I
am assuming that you mean a gentle leader? I don't know of any time when it
would be appropriate or necessary to actually muzzle a guide dog. Prong
collars are also generally not a good idea. Can they occasionally be needed
and effective tools? Absolutely, but generally they are not issued to grads
and trying other options first is usually the way to go. Booties in doors?
Its none of the clinic's business, of course, but I personally, always
remove booties indoors as the dog can slip and slide around on slick floors
with booties on and straining or dislocating a hip or shoulder would be very
bad for a guide dog. So, I am still trying to understand, your dog got
loose? At this visit, or a different earlier occasion? I don't think you did
anything wrong, and it does sound like harassment, but due to the way in
which the post is written, I am truly struggling to understand the specifics
of your situation and the incident you are telling the list about.

Heather Bird
"They came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't
a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I
wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a
Protestant.
Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up." -
Martin Niemöller
In our diverse society we must never fail to speak up in the face of Human
Rights violations lest we be the next targets of such violations.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 2:09 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: S L Johnson
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Billings clinic

Dar:

I can understand why you are upset.  It is not the van driver's job to
criticize you and your dog.  The public does not understand how difficult it
can be to control a young rambunctious dog.  I always have told people to
call my school.  Then the school can explain that I am working my dog in the
way I was instructed to during training.  You should definitely speak to a
supervisor.  If the problems continue, then you may have to try another
clinic.  Good luck.

Sandra and Eva

-----Original Message-----
From: d m gina via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, July 19, 2017 12:46 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: d m gina
Subject: [NAGDU] Billings clinic

Yesterday I was picked up by a van from the Billings clinic to go to a
doctor appointment.
The lady started unlocking my gate, I shared I would be glad to do this when
folks find it easier to brake the lock than open gate.
She got in a huff saying I didn't want help from anyone.
I shared that would be fine to help if anyone would replace the broken part
on the gate.
I smiled getting into the van.
Then making conversation I shared a few months ago I dropped the leash
getting out of the van with my cane where the dog decided to take a strole.
Even when I called her she stopped but had plans to take a nice walk down
our block.
The driver asked me if she could get the dog, I shared that would be kind of
you.
Well after lady left I corrected dog because this wasn't going to be a game
played many times over.
We live on a busy stree, where I was waiting for her to get hit.
The lady shared that the pals department was working on taking my dog away.
That I was mean to my dog had no respect for the dog, and I didn't deserve
the dog.
My rely was it is good to know what is happening how far have you gotten?
Reply was not far we don't know school you got this dog from.
I have Julie's harness with no school name on it.
Also a leash same way no school ame on it.
I must say I was shaken when I know all I try to do is keep missie in
control in a public building.
Lady shared that she knew I had three dogs taken away from me.
I explained that wasn't true. Her reply was then that roomer had to stop.
We get to the clinic where she starts talking to dog.
I asked her not to do this just speak to person who trained with dog and
they will give commands.
She shared I didn't know what I was talking about and the dog knew nothing.
I asked her to stop enough was enough.
I get into building where she asks someone to take me up to my place of
appointment.
Not to talk to dog or touch it even though it is something that must be
done.
I did get to the second floor asking immediently to speak to a manager.
I shared that I was threatened to have my dog taken away from the pals
clinic.
He asked if I got hit and I said no, I shared what happened, sharing that my
training for the dog was from set school, and I wasn't going to change a
thing.
I want to be left alone on how to travel with my dog making sure she is well
behaved in a setting as a clinic.
Then I kept going up to the top.
Way to the top.
The lady shared with me she understood getting hold of staff in the pals
area.
I can't train dog if she doesn't make mistakes.
Showing her doors elevators and much more as we are all trained to do in set
schools.
This is not the first time this problem has happened in set clinic.
It was so bad seeing eye said they wouldn't take me back because they had to
many complaints from set clinic.
Complaints as muzzle was on to tight, boots are on dogs feet, prong collar
shouldn't be used at all.
Corrections are not allowed in clinic.
Where when I brought her home, she had springs in her feet. If she thought
something was good to look at behind her, she would jump and turn around.
I picked her up by the middle of the harness sitting her down saying we are
going this direction.
That never happened again.
Someone decided that it was ok to have her jump in their lap.
I shared this wasn't part of the training. Getting her down again, she did
get corrected to let her know this wasn't going to happen again.
I am giving clinic another chance where if this doesn't stop I am feeling I
can charge pals for harassment.
Just thought I would share.
I went home by uber I didn't want to go home with the same lady having more
problems.
The ride to the clinic is free to those who are patients of the clinic.
A grant is given to them so it isn't as though they are paying for set
grant.
Thanks for reading.

--
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
  FB: dmgina
www.twitter.com/dmgina
every saint has a past
every sinner has a future

_______________________________________________
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/sljohnson25%40comcast.net

_______________________________________________
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/heather.l.bird%40gmail.co
m