[NAGDU] A Guide Horse maybe

Fri May 24 20:15:06 UTC 2024

yes it sure is very exciting!!

On Fri, May 24, 2024 at 3:25 PM Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> Josh, I hope this all works out for you. It sounds very exciting.
> Cindy Lou Ray
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On May 24, 2024, at 2:05 PM, Josh Kennedy via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
> >
> > Looks like all my work paid off. I found a very enthusiastic guide horse
> > trainer!!
> > Holly Fisher:
> > "Hello Josh,
> > I appreciate you reaching out to me, expressing your interest in
> miniature
> > guide horses.
> > I've had a life long infatuation with all animals, especially horses. I
> > started taking riding lessons at the age of 7. The more I learned about
> > horses, the more I wanted to be with them. In my teenage years I trained
> my
> > young horse & started competing in horse shows. Then I began training
> > horses locally. In 2006 I graduated from horseshoeing school & currently
> I
> > am still working as a Farrier. I love my job. I still feel like I need to
> > be more involved. But in what ways?  I have a deep desire to share my
> love
> > of horses with like minded individuals.
> > Around 2018 I stumbled upon the Guide Horse Foundation's website. I was
> > blown away at the idea of using mini horses as guides.  I instantly knew
> I
> > wanted to follow the guide horse foundations lead and I would train guide
> > horses too.
> > I researched different types of miniature horses. It didn't take long to
> > realize bet best choice is Falabella horses. They originated in
> Argentina.
> > Falabellas are perfect in every way for guide work. I started looking
> > online in hope of purchasing a few of these Falabella's to begin clicker
> > training for service work. I was shocked to find that the price range to
> > buy a 1 year old, untrained Falabella is between $5,000-$12,000. Yikes! I
> > was a bit discouraged about buying these mini horses, but I continued
> > practicing clicker training with my full sized horses.
> > Fast forward a few years, in March 2024 I was checking out the new foals
> > for sale on a website named 'Toyland's Falabella International'. Since
> > 2018, I have visited this website many times. During this visit I decided
> > to sign the websites guestbook. I wrote a few sentences expressing my
> > wishes to buy a few Falabella horses & clicker train them for guide work.
> > This is the only time I wrote about my dream online, outside of my small
> > circle of friends.
> > So imagine my astonishment & excitement when you reached out to me about
> a
> > guide horse.  The more I thought about it, the more I felt like this is a
> > sign, from a higher power, encouraging me to get the ball rolling
> pursuing
> > my dream to train miniature guide horses.
> > I thought it was a long shot... but I emailed the women who owns Toylands
> > Falabella horses. She is one of the largest breeders in the United
> States &
> > just happens to live in the same state as me, Illinois. It's only a 3.5
> > hour drive away. In my email I explained my dream & described my
> > qualifications. She sent me back an enthusiastic email. Long story short,
> > she wants me to come to her place & meet me. She wants to discuss ideas &
> > start training her Falabellas for service work. I'm going to visit her in
> > about 1 week. I'll let you know exactly what day I go visit & how our
> > meeting goes.
> > Thank you so much for contacting me. Without your thoughtful action, none
> > of this would be happening right now. I think you should be the 1st
> person
> > to receive our 1st trained guide horse."
> > Alexandra Kurland:
> > "Hi Josh,
> > This could be an exciting partnership.  You may yet get your dream guide
> > horse.
> > Panda’s mother was a Falabella.  I suspect she got her small size from
> her
> > mother.
> > Good luck with this.
> > Alexandra"
> > Holly Fisher:
> > "Yes, consistency is key, especially when working with horses. I believe
> > consistency is the closest thing horses have understanding of that can be
> > related to honesty. Horses don't, and can't lie, but if a human or a
> horse
> > in their herd is inconsistent it means they can't be relied on to make
> > decisions for them.
> > I sent an email to Alexandra Kurlin recently. I'm excited to hear what
> she
> > has to say or any pointers she may give as we continue on our guide horse
> > journey.   I'm curious with the size perimeters should be considering
> when
> > choosing a suitable training horse prospect.
> > I have a client that has some very nice miniature horses. I inquired
> about
> > ones offered for sale. She has 1 that might be suitable  for guide work.
> > She stands 32" in height, weighs about 125 pounds. She is 2 years old &
> > loves people. And to describe her looks... she is almost too cute. Her
> coat
> > is a reddish brown with a blonde main & tail. My client is supposed to
> get
> > back with me tonight with a price. This 2 year old should be more
> > affordable than a purebred Falabella miniature.
> > I'm still trying to coordinate a date to go visit the Falabella farm. We
> > have been chatting & will have sometime set in stone soon."
> > Holly Fisher:
> > "I think you are on the right track.  I'm excited to be moving forward
> with
> > training a guide horse for you. After we find a horse & training
> > progresses, would you be able to come to Illinois periodically and do
> some
> > hands on work to get acquainted with your guide in training?"
> >
> >> On Fri, May 24, 2024 at 2:49 PM Debbie Malone via NAGDU <
> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> Just an FYI. The service dog denials are getting worse. I had the same
> >> scenario happen just a week later.  I was also denied directly when I
> >> wanted to go with my significant other to his appointment. They said I
> >> couldn't go because I had a service dog. It is really bad when the
> transit
> >> authority is perpetuating the problem and actually denying access
> because
> >> of the service dog. Just saying...
> >>
> >> *Sent with Right Inbox <
> https://www.rightinbox.com/?utm_source=signature>*
> >>
> >>
> >> <
> >>
> https://inboxwhenready.org/?utm_campaign=signature&utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature
> >>>
> >> I'm using Inbox When Ready
> >> <
> >>
> https://inboxwhenready.org/?utm_campaign=signature&utm_medium=email&utm_source=signature
> >>>
> >> to protect my focus.
> >>
> >> On Sun, May 5, 2024 at 8:50 AM Diane Graves via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I hear you Debbie. It is an outrage to have to decide whether to take a
> >>> dog to your time sensitive appointment or leave them home, because you
> >>> don't know what the rideshare drivers are going to try to pull. It is
> >> even
> >>> worse, to make this ongoing problem a consideration when deciding
> whether
> >>> to train with a successor dog or not.
> >>>
> >>> Although the rideshare companies would claim otherwise, I simply don't
> >>> believe that they have a strong zero tolerance policy for violations of
> >> the
> >>> law when it comes to guide dogs/service animals. They would say that
> they
> >>> are doing all they can, but I do not believe it.
> >>>
> >>> For example, I was recently enrolled at a university which had a very
> >>> strict progressive policy against cheating and plagiarism. If you were
> >>> caught once, you would receive an F on the assignment; twice, you
> failed
> >>> the entire course; three times and you were expelled from the
> >> university. I
> >>> don't think the rideshare companies have such a policy in place.
> >>>
> >>> When attempting to make travel arrangements with a family member or
> >>> friend, I try to be considerate. If they don't want a dog in their
> >> vehicle,
> >>> I can either honor that or choose not to ride with them. However, When
> a
> >>> driver makes the decision to provide a public service and drive their
> >>> personal vehicle for a rideshare company, they forfeit their right to
> >> make
> >>> the call, and they should be required to comply with the law. We
> >> shouldn't
> >>> be forced to deal with this.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> 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 Debbie Malone via
> >>> NAGDU
> >>> Sent: Sunday, May 5, 2024 7:31 AM
> >>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <
> >>> nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> >>> Cc: Debbie Malone <dmalone510 at gmail.com>
> >>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Rideshare denials
> >>>
> >>> I do the same thing. I report to Uber, NFB, and our RTA (MBTA/the
> >>> RIDE)since many of my rides are contracted through them. I am going out
> >> to
> >>> the DOJ complaints in the next day or so. Any advice?
> >>>
> >>> I am so outraged that even those contracted rides are denied. The other
> >>> day the paratransit service didn't have enough vans to take me on my
> >>> scheduled trip. The tried to get me an Uber but were refused by every
> >>> driver. They were telling the drivers that I had a service dog and
> >> allowed
> >>> each driver to deny the ride. They had to delay a regular van driver's
> >>> lunch to take me to my appointment. I am so outraged that I am looking
> >> into
> >>> a protest at the state house and/or media coverage. I am too through.
> >>>
> >>> *Sent with Right Inbox <
> https://www.rightinbox.com/?utm_source=signature
> >>> *
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> On Sat, May 4, 2024 at 4:14 PM Suzette May via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org
> >
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> What Lyft told me is that if you message the driver that you have a
> >>>> guide dog or the driver is close enough to see that you have a guide
> >>>> dog and the ride is canceled at any point after that, it is considered
> >>>> a service dog denial. So I report those.  I also screenshot my text
> >>>> message when it says the driver has seen the message, along with the
> >>>> driver information screen as soon as possible. I also report it on the
> >>>> NFB form and the DOJ form every time.  If I can, I start videoing when
> >>> the driver is one minute away.
> >>>> I'm averaging about 1 in 3 guide dog denials.  I've had several that
> >>>> were blatant, to my face denials. That was before I started videoing.
> >>>>
> >>>> *Suzette May*
> >>>> *PS139.13 at gmail.com <PS139.13 at gmail.com>*
> >>>> *512-564-0152*
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> On Thu, May 2, 2024 at 12:34 PM Raul Gallegos - NAGDU via NAGDU <
> >>>> nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Hello Vanessa. While there is no direct evidence that you have been
> >>>>> denied, I personally would still report it as such, especially if
> >>>>> you
> >>>> have
> >>>>> voluntarily sent the driver a text that identifies you as a blind
> >>>>> person traveling with a guide dog.
> >>>>> I hope this helps.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Raul Gallegos, President
> >>>>> National Association of Guide Dog Users
> >>>>> (346) 439-7444 • rgallegos at nagdu.org www.nfb.org • www.nagdu.org
> >>>>> Subscribe to the NAGDU public calendar Facebook Group • Email list •
> >>>>> Mastodon “You can live the life you want. Blindness is not what
> >>>>> holds you back.”
> >>>>>
> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Vanessa Lowery
> >>>>> via NAGDU
> >>>>> Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:22 PM
> >>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> >>>>> < nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>> Cc: Vanessa Lowery <val4dogs at gmail.com>
> >>>>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Rideshare denials
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I have a question. To give an example, let's say that I have
> >>>>> selected
> >>>> Uber
> >>>>> and have messaged the driver stating that I will be traveling with a
> >>>>> service dog and will be placing a towel on the floor of the vehicle
> >>>> before
> >>>>> the dog enters. You continue to wait as the countdown for the
> >>>>> drivers arrival continues. The driver gets two or three minutes out,
> >>>>> and then the next thing you know, You've been switched to another
> >>>>> ride. But before
> >>>> that
> >>>>> happens, you've gotten a text response back from the driver that
> >>>>> just
> >>>> says,
> >>>>> "OK.". You assume that the OK means that the driver has no issues
> >>>>> with
> >>>> the
> >>>>> presence of the service dog. But then, you are suddenly switched to
> >>>> another
> >>>>> driver. Is that considered a denial? And if not, at a minimum,
> >>>>> should we
> >>>> go
> >>>>> to the tracking link that the NFB has and report that. And if so,
> >>>>> what is it categorized to be? I have had that happen a few times
> >>> lately.
> >>>>> Vanessa and the zoo
> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> On May 2, 2024, at 7:21 AM, Debbie Malone via NAGDU
> >>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> >>>>> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Hi all,
> >>>>>> Is NFB still collecting data regarding Uber andLyft service animal
> >>>>> denials?
> >>>>>> If so where do we report the incidents? Thanks.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> --
> >>>>>> *Debbie Malone*
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> *National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts*
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> *Affiliate Second Vice President*
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> *At-Large Chapter President*
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> *National Federation of the Blind, National Writers Division Vice
> >>>>>> President* *InclusionEducation.com
> >>>>>> <https://inclusioneducation.com/>*
> >>>>>> Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> *Sent with Right Inbox
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> >>>
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> *Debbie Malone*
> >>>
> >>> *National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts*
> >>>
> >>> *Affiliate Second Vice President*
> >>>
> >>> *At-Large Chapter President*
> >>>
> >>> *National Federation of the Blind, National Writers Division Vice
> >>> President* *InclusionEducation.com <https://inclusioneducation.com/>*
> >>> Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>
> >>> _______________________________________________
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> >>> NAGDU:
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> >>
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> >>>
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> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> *Debbie Malone*
> >>
> >> *National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts*
> >>
> >> *Affiliate Second Vice President*
> >>
> >> *At-Large Chapter President*
> >>
> >> *National Federation of the Blind, National Writers Division Vice
> >> President*
> >> *InclusionEducation.com <https://inclusioneducation.com/>*
> >> Amazon Author Page <https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R>
> >> _______________________________________________
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