[NAGDU] Confusing thoughts

[Danielle Sykora]

If I am understanding this situation correctly, These are dogs that are
being specifically invited by the school for a specific time period/event.
Also correct me if I am wrong, but it sounds like the dogs are barking at a
distance, but the handlers are not allowing the dogs to come up to your
dog. If this is the case, the school and the other handlers aren't really
doing anything wrong here. Sure the school probably should get actual
therapy dogs to come visit with students if that is their goal, but that is
their choice if they want to invite another animal related organization. I
100% understand how frustrating dog distractions can be, but unfortunately
this is something we as handlers need to be able to deal with. If the dogs
aren't actually interacting with your dog or directly threatening him, such
as lunging from a few feet away, it is reasonable to expect him to work
around other dogs. Like others have said, I would recommend working on his
dog distraction using the tools you already have or by contacting your
school for advice. The other handlers really aren't doing anything wrong in
this situation provided they are not bringing their dogs anywhere they have
not been invited and they aren't allowing their dogs to be super close to
yours.

Good luck with whatever you decide,
Danielle

On Mon, Nov 20, 2023 at 4:04 PM Asia Quinones-Evans via NAGDU <
nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Hello everyone,
>
> I want to start off by telling everyone that I am the only service dog
> handler on my college campus this semester. There is a new Dean in the
> Physical Education department (HPER) that I have most of my courses in.
> When they set up events now he advocates strongly for the Animal Protection
> League to be their. There was an event I was required to attend for class
> in October and the dogs were their. The dogs did not come close to my guide
> dog but he was very nervous because he could not see the dogs barking and
> he did not want them to attack him. Yes, you read that correct the dogs
> were barking at an event from the  APL. This lasted over 45 minutes. I had
> to keep ahold of the leash to keep him focused and calm while walking
> around this event. My college will have another event hosted by this
> department towards the end of my semester for the students to enjoy some
> relaxing time before finals. There will be the APL there. I am not sure how
> to feel about this because they are getting approval from the college but
> its putting my safety in  jeopardy distracting my service dog. I am pretty
> sure if there were any other service dog handlers on campus they would feel
> the same. I was wondering if you are in college currently, have been in
> college previously, and have had this type of a situation, how did you deal
> with it? The event I was required to attend in October could have been
> avoided if it was not a grade for my class. This upcoming event will be in
> the main building that I spend most of my time in. So I can not avoid it
> that day. Thanks for any feedback.
>
> I do want to state that besides now other dogs distracting and being
> aggressive towards my guide dog I love rescue places. My first pet that I
> had to put down in August was a rescue. He was 14 years old. I will always
> rescue a pet no matter if I have the money to buy from a breeder.
>
> Yours truely,
>
> Asia Quinones-Evans
>
> Phone: 440-670-6509
> Email: aevans.nfb at gmail.com
>
>
> Live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back
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