[NAGDU] Question about share ride drivers and dog hair

Tue Dec 19 22:41:33 UTC 2023

All,

I am very skeptical of those who express fears about dog allergies. I have  been told by more than one veterinarian that an individual must touch a dog and then touch their own face to have an allergic reaction. The vets maintain dog hair alone just does not transmit allergens. 

And, yes, drivers might be genuinely ignorant--and displaying unreasoning paranoia about dogs which is fed by those who simply don't like and want to  transport dogs. I suspect these are often excuses for those who just don't like the idea of transporting dogs. In addition, drivers have told me it's against their faith (a terrible witness for Islam), they are fearful of dogs, or  some have just shouted, "no dog!"

Karen my wife and I try hard to keep pups well-groomed and clean. The denial-of-service incidents I have experienced have all been "first time" contacts with the drivers involved. I believe the drivers with whom we ride have good experiences. Drivers who break the law work with transportation network companies (TNCs such as Uber and Lyft) that have very lax enforcement. They just say what they want to justify their actions.

We as a community have few things for which we should apologize. We ought not try to turn blame back on ourselves. Those who violate the law are responsible for their own acts. We have serious advocacy challenges with Uber, Lyft, and others.

Best to all,

Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Joy Relton via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2023 3:55 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joy Relton <joy.relton at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Question about share ride drivers and dog hair

Diann,

I like your questions. I have been known to inquire whether any of these drivers have ever had a passenger who had wet or muddy clothes or whether any of them ever got sick or the like. Ironically, the woman who told me about her concerns about being sued for allergies to dog hair wore enough perfume to put my daughter into an asthmatic attack. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Diane Graves via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2023 5:15 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: rdgraves2007 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Question about share ride drivers and dog hair

Hi All,

I'm afraid I can't help but think that some of the drivers who claim to be concerned about residual dog hair and lawsuits by passengers with allergies are "reaching" just a bit in an attempt to justify themselves.

If they are worried about lawsuits by the occasional passenger with potential allergies, then why aren't they worried about lawsuits or charges for law violations pertaining to passengers with service animals?

Secondly, while we all know that our dogs are prone to shedding, it is very difficult for me to believe that a 15/20 minute ride to a shopping mall or medical appointment is going to result in enough dog hair to pose any type of a problem. Particularly if the dog is stationery on the floor. Again, I believe they are simply making excuses to justify their own acts of discrimination.

It would be interesting to know whether any of the drivers who were claiming concerns about passengers with allergies were wearing perfume or cologne, or had an air freshener in their car...

All that said, I agree that carrying a mat or towel if one can do that is a good solution and should resolve this concern.

Robin (Diane) Graves
rdgraves2007 at gmail.com
317-238-9262

“TGIF: TODAY GOD IS FIRST.’—OS Hillman

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Al Sten-Clanton via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2023 9:57 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: albert.e.sten_clanton at verizon.net
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Question about share ride drivers and dog hair

It seems a fair point that some of us should groom our dogs more often, including me.  I don't go in many cars these days, but if I did I'd certainly brush him more often.  I did it on Friday specifically to minimize the hair in the house where we had the family Christmas party yesterday.  So I can understand a driver not wanting a dog that looks and smells like hell and may leave a whole rug behind in the car.

That said, I doubt the quick judgments and denials I've seen and experienced suggest that the driver did not actually check whether there was a real problem, but just assumed it.  Unless it's clear to me somehow that either the dog or the handler did something wrong, my presumption is that the driver is not trying reasonably to know the facts but has jumped to a conclusion.

Al

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, December 17, 2023 9:20 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Cindy Ray <cindyray at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Question about share ride drivers and dog hair

Joy, I get what you’re saying, but it’s really quite judgmental. There could be various circumstances. Some people grooming, the dog still shed a lot. In any case, you can’t refuse to take a dog because somebody didn’t groom it. That’s irrelevant. And I really don’t think we have the right to make that kind of judgments here.
,
Cindy Lou Ray
Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 17, 2023, at 7:25 PM, Debbie Gabe via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I know my husband has a really hard time getting my dog's fur out of  his floor mat  in his car. So I put towels down in my husband's car.  Plus I groom the dog every single day.  If a blind person does not groom their dog often, I don't blame ride share drivers at all!
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
> On Dec 17, 2023, at 12:57 PM, Joy Relton via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> 
> 
> I recently took a Lyft to a shopping center near my house. The woman 
> was not happy that she had to pick me up with my dog guide but did so nonetheless.
> As we were driving I engaged her in conversation about her resistance 
> to taking the dog and she told me that many drivers are concerned 
> because if they take a dog guide in their car and they aren't able to 
> get all of the dog hair out before someone rides with them who has 
> severe allergies the company will do nothing to help them with any law 
> suits. I was curious whether others have ever had a driver express 
> this concern. The logical solution is to have a specific percentage of 
> cars be allergy-free so no perfumes,, dog etc. The problem would be 
> that they couldn't guarantee that one of the passengers wouldn't have 
> a pet at home and bring some of their fur on their clothing without 
> any knowledge. Has anyone else had any similar experiences?
> 
> 
> 
> Joy and Vicky, Who says that the brisk air out there makes for fine 
> walking and hopes that all of her colleagues out there are getting similar walks.
> 
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> m

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