[nagdu] School contracts

[Bryan Brown]

I was just placed with my second Fidelco dog. I was given the contract at 
the same time as I was introduced to the dog. I was given as much time as I 
liked to go over the contract with any person that I would have liked to 
look at it.

When I signed the form it needed to be witnessed and additionally signed by 
the witness. I think that is a good policy.

The dog I now have was a dog that had been given out as a guide previously 
than being placed with me. The other handler sustained an injury shortly 
after being placed with this same dog and was not able to work it while 
recovering from this injury, so the dog was returned. Thank god for this, or 
I would still be waiting for a dog.

Seems pretty practical to me? but then again "I have a mind of my own"

    B
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion Gwizdala" <blind411 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 8:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] School contracts


> Larry,
>    One practice I have noticed is that of presenting the agreement at the 
> end of training. at this point, the consumer is placed in a very difficult 
> situation. Either they sign the agreement or they don't go home with their 
> dog. This seems to present a bit of a predicament. I suppose that, if a 
> training program were to attempt to enforce the agreement, the consumer 
> could argue that it was signed under duress.
>    As to the fundamental question of ownership, I have not heard of one 
> good argument supporting the practice of the training program retaining 
> ownership. Those programs that transfer ownership upon completion of 
> training provide just as effective follow-up services as those that retain 
> ownership. The assertion that it is meant to prevent abuse seems to imply 
> that blind people are more likely to abuse their dogs than sighted people. 
> Every jurisdiction has laws to protect animals from abuse, yet training 
> programs seem to contend they are better prepared to deal with abuse than 
> law enforcement. I am of the opinion that the retention of ownership by 
> the training program is paternalistic and custodial.
>
> Fraternally yours,
> Marion Gwizdala
>
>
> From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
> To: "doggie" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 9:36 PM
> Subject: [nagdu] School contracts
>
>
>>I aggree Marion.  Unfortunately it sounds like Fidelco in particular likes 
>>to enforce that contract more than some other schools.  I have never once 
>>got a call or email or anything wanting to come and get my dog!  But Pilot 
>>could do so if they chose.  I wonder if some schools do it as a formality 
>>and really do help there students like Pilot who will also contribute some 
>>to your vet bills and others use the document to hold over past students. 
>>Whatever school you attend you should be very familiar with the contract 
>>and be able to ask as many questions before signing it.  If they try to 
>>hurry through or rush you don't sign!
>> Intelligence is always claimed but rarely proven!
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>
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