[NFBF-Tampa] Southeastern at it Again!

[Marion Gwizdala]

                On Thursday, march 4, Deanna Miller, one of Southeastern
Guide Dogs Field Representatives made an unannounced visit to the home of
Rev. Susan Blake, an Episcopal priest for the diocese of Orlando, Florida.
They demanded to see her dog. When Rev. Blake let her in, the representative
stated her guide dog "looked about four pounds overweight" and they were
removing it. Southeastern's contract allows them to repossess a dog for
abuse, defined by this contract as being overweight. They also told her they
had contacted her veterinarian and was told they had not seen the dog since
2018. The representative also stated that this vet said she was behind on
her rabies vaccination. Rev. Blake attempted to explain that she had changed
vets and her dog was seen by her current vet about one month earlier for a
physical and vaccinations. Rev. Blake also attempted to explain that when
she saw her current vet, he did not want to give her a vaccination because
the dog had an ear infection. Once the infection was cleared, the dog would
be vaccinated. Ms. Miller would hear none of it, obviously intent on the
repossession. Ms. Miller pulled the leash from Rev. Blake's hands, loaded
her dog into the vehicle, took the leash off of the dog, and handed it back
to her, driving off with her guide dog. Rev.Blake was left in her driveway
with an empty leash in her hand!

 

                In less than one year this is the second instance I know
about in which Southeastern has removed a dog because they believed it was
overweight, without objective evidence, without warning, and without due
process. This sort of abuse of guide dog consumers must stop and the
National Federation of the Blind needs to step up and do something about
this!

 

Fraternally yours,

Marion Gwizdala

 

 

Marion Gwizdala

(813) 626-2789

Blind411 at verizon.net

 

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