[NAGDU] Ownership in Germany - for Rebecca and everyone who's interested

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Bianca.
Is there a bias against guide dogs in Germany?  Do people think, hey, why
can't you just use a cane like everyone else?  Or, hey, your family will
lead you around?  Or something different?  Curious.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Bianka via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 2:37 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Bianka
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Ownership in Germany - for Rebecca and everyone who's
interested

Hello all, 

Lisa, I have heard of some instances here in germany that the health
insurance grants ownership to the handler, it depends on which insurance you
deal with. Usually, the insurance doesn't really care what happens with the
dog when he retires. However, it might get difficult when the dog has to
retire early or has to be returned to the school because of a missmatch or
just bad training. 

It's also a fact that charities providing service dogs in Germany face great
difficulties raising the money. It's mainly a cultural thing I guess. I
guess if the alternative is having a guide dog or not having a guide dog at
all ownership is not the first thing one thinks about :). In Germany, guide
dogs and their handlers are a very small minority among the blind. The last
time I researched the numbers they talked about 2 to 3 % of the blind but I
might have the number wrong. 

Best regards,

Bianka 



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