[humanser] Guide dogs and in home practice

Thu Aug 13 00:25:25 UTC 2009

Shannon,
    What I meant to say about not bringing it up was that I would not bring 
the subject up in order to ask permission nor would I even initiate the 
asking of  permission. However, during the course of conversation, you could 
bring up that you are a guide dog user. If the client then offers permission 
to bring the dog, you could. I believe that in our position as counselors, 
there is an imbalance of influence. The client may grant permission even 
when they would prefer not to do so. This is the reason I state that we 
should not be the ones to ask; rather, we should allow the client to make 
the offer without any pressure, whether real or imagined. HTH!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Shannon Cook" <SCook at sccb.sc.gov>
To: "'Human Services Mailing List'" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 2:23 PM
Subject: Re: [humanser] Guide dogs and in home practice


>I would have to ask how the client would know I had a dog if I did not 
>bring it up?  We had a counselor here when I first began who had a guide 
>dog and she took hers into all of her homes; however, I am not sure if she 
>asked or just took the dog regardless.  Obviously, I don't plan to take 
>that route.
>
> It would seem counterintuitive to not take the dog at all, when getting 
> around more easily in unfamiliar situations is a reason for having a dog.
>
> Sometimes, my emails come across too sharp, so if my tone seems harsh, it 
> is not my intent.
>
> Shannon Cook, MSW
> Older Blind Counselor
> SC Commission for the Blind
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
> Behalf Of Marion & Martin
> Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 4:34 PM
> To: Human Services Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [humanser] Guide dogs and in home practice
>
> Shannon,
>    You ask a very good question. As the President of the National
> Association of Guide Dog Users and a former private practitioner, I will
> attempt to answer your question. You are correct in your statement that,
> although employers and places of public accommodation must allow you to be
> accompanied by a service animal, a person's home is not a public
> accommodation. Therefore, they can refuse to allow you access with a 
> service
> animal.
>    My suggestion is that, when you go to a client's home,  you leave your
> dog at home. I further suggest that you not even ask permission to bring
> your service dog, as such permission may be granted by the client even
> though they would prefer to not do so. This could compromise the 
> therapeutic
> relationship. If, on the other hand, the client willingly - without you
> asking - asks you why you did not bring your service dog, this would be an
> opportunity to discuss the issue. Again, I would never, under any
> circumstances, ask permission without the client initiating the topic. If,
> after such a discussion, the client gives permission, this could actually 
> be
> beneficial to the relationship.
>    If you have any further questions regarding this, I believe it is a 
> good
> discussion for this list. I would also like to invite you to join the
> discussion list of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU) 
> which
> is also hosted by nfbnet.org. There are a couple of other counselors on 
> that
> list, along with about 225 guide dog users from around the world!
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
> National Federation of the blind
> president at nfb-nagdu.org
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Shannon Cook" <SCook at sccb.sc.gov>
> To: "'Human Services Mailing List'" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2009 8:02 AM
> Subject: [humanser] Guide dogs and in home practice
>
>
>> HI,
>>
>> I am applying for a guide dog and wanted to know if any of you use a dog
>> for in home settings with your clients.  I know the laws for taking a dog
>> into public spaces, but obviously, I cannot make someone allow me to take
>> a dog into their homes if they do not wish.  Has anyone encountered this
>> issue?  If so, what do you do with your dog in the event that someone 
>> will
>> not allow you to bring your dog in their homes for personal or medical
>> reasons?
>>
>> Any feedback will be helpful.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Shannon Cook, MSW
>> Older Blind Counselor
>> SC Commission for the Blind
>>
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> of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is 
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> way from its use. If you received this transmission in error, please 
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