[NAGDU] Guide dog problems

[Marion Gwizdala,]

	I have said this for 34 years! I have questioned programs publicly,
met with them privately, introduced resolutions to call them to task some of
which passed but the most important one failed on the flor, and have heard
the heartbreaking stories of guide dog users treated unfairly. It is
absolutely true that many will not stand up and make their voices heard
because of the fear that is instilled by some programs. There is no secret
some of them talk about us when they should not! I believe every program
asks if you have had a guide dog before and from whom. Should we lie or just
not rock the boat? Some teams deteriorate unnecessarily because graduates
avoid calling the programs when it first happens, waiting until it might be
too late to fix because they do not want to be seen as unsuccessful, unsafe,
or incompetent, all reasons outlined in their paternalistic contract as
reasons to remove a dog. I have been saying these things for 34 years and I
hope you now understand why!

Marion


Marion Gwizdala
(813) 626-2789
Blind411 at verizon.net

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Monse via NAGDU
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2021 3:13 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Monse <monse_v at aol.com.mx>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Guide dog problems

Hi to all.
I have to say that is a real shame what programs do to their consumers.
Unfortunately, this problem of guide dogs taken away from handlers for no
valid reason by schools is something that happens regularly, although it is
not known enough because most users prefer not to make the subject public
either to avoid retaliation against them or because they are simply afraid
of that black list in which they won't get a successor dog from their
current or other program. That happens specially when there are very few
schools in their country, which fortunately is not the case in America.
That's how it is in my country ha-ha.
Same thing happens with the lag of "their" dog's training, ETC. the truth is
that the world will never hear about things of the kind.
All of that not to mention that most schools all around the world reserve
the right to repossess a guide dog at any time supposedly to protect the
safety and well-being of the Guide Dog. My question then would be protect
the dog from whom? The consumer they chose to be the dog's handler?
Anyway, I really really applaud your courage for speaking up and defend your
rights, organizations must stop treating disable people like children unable
to take care of a dog. In that case, they should improve their eligibility
requirements even though that takes them some extra work and effort... and
probably a reduction of budget.
Keep up the good work! At least you have an organization behind you that
protects your rights and is not part of the schools' group of friends.
I decided to be an owner-trainer because all of that.


_______________________________________________
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/blind411%40verizon.net