[NAGDU] Disappointed in Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Response

[Julie Johnson]

Okay, my suggested compromise is showing the rabies tag the dog is wearing 
at the airport when I arrive for my scheduled flight. This will avoid 
giving advance notice, will have no burden of additional paperwork, will not 
cause me to pay for additional vet appointments and will treat me like other 
passengers.

Perhaps people don't know some facts about vaccines.  Only a vet can give 
the rabies vaccine.  In most/all states the rabies vaccine is the only 
legally required vaccine, typically every three years. Vaccines such as 
distemper, parvo etc. are suggested by vets, but not legally required. 
these diseases are not communicable to people like rabies.  You can give 
vaccines like distemper at home yourself, saving time and money.   Also 
causing a problem if you choose to exercise this entirely legal option and 
then fly using Delta.

There is increasing evidence that giving vaccines every year is actually 
harmful.  Numerous studies show that vaccines are active in the body far 
longer than a single year.  Over vaccinating can cause physical and behavior 
problems.

I am bothered by all the comments stating that I have this health info 
anyway, so it's no bother to show it at the airport.  It feels very selfish. 
Because it's no bother to me personally, I'm not going to think about anyone 
else or the broader implications.

If we want to make progress on this issue, we are going to have to start 
thinking inclusively of all people with all types of disabilities, at all 
income levels, in big cities and small, with and without a computer, with 
big dogs and small, with school provided ID's and not, doing all sorts of 
tasks and with varying needs.

The only way I see to do this is to hold people accountable for the behavior 
of their dog.  There seems to be a significant barrier in this area.  There 
are already provisions to remove a person or service dog if their behavior 
is atrocious.  As a society we are reluctant to follow through.  As a 
society we make more laws, restricting freedoms even more, because we are 
afraid of confronting people.

I'd like to see educational materials on ways businesses can approach a 
person with a service or emotional support dog that is behaving badly. 
Businesses need very specific, how to, info on addressing this situation in 
a way that is respectful, does not escalate the situation and protects the 
business from a retaliatory lawsuit.

In all my years of working with guide dogs, reading service dog news 
articles, attending various conferences etc.  never once have I come across 
an instance where a person was asked to remove their out of control dog that 
was handled respectfully and legally.  There is not a single example I can 
point to to demonstrate the right thing to do.   News stories highlight out 
of control dogs, arrogant people and vague demands that something needs to 
be done.

Yes, something needs to be done and that something is to help businesses 
feel empowered to follow through with what the law currently provides.

The problem is the behavior of some dogs and the only way to solve that 
problem is to do something to address behavior.  Requiring proof of 
vaccinations or health has very little to do with behavior.   I believe once 
people face actual consequences for their choice to not get their dog 
appropriate training they will think seriously about having a repeat 
experience.  Also once the news starts reporting what happens to people who 
aren't being responsible, the word will get around and people who want to 
take advantage will start thinking seriously about their choices.

Humans are motivated by pain or pleasure.  To get lasting results the pain 
of taking an untrained dog on a plane has to outweigh the pleasure they get 
from having the dog along.  That isn't going to be accomplished with some 
paperwork.  It will happen when people experience consequences for their 
poor choices.

Julie
On The Go with Guide-and-Service-Dogs.com
http://www.guide-and-service-dogs.com
also find my products in the Blind Mice Mega Mall
<https://www.blindmicemegamall.com/bmm/shop/Directory_Departments?storeid=1916046>