[nagdu] the workplace and new dogs

Wed May 7 19:27:11 UTC 2014

ROFLOL!  Rebecca this is hilarious!

The thing is, I'm not so sure anyone will even notice.  Except Monty is gray 
now and it stands out a lot, so maybe they will.  In the first year of 
taking him to work, I'd get asked fairly often if I had a different dog. 
Sometimes it was as simple as I had switched to a different harness.  I 
wouldn't think a different harness would make that much difference, but 
apparently it is what people notice.

Also Monty and Jetta are largish mostly black dogs with docked tails.  It 
will be interesting to see how observant people are. Most people can't tell 
Monty and Belle apart either.  Very weird.

I did mention to one of the secretaries last summer that I had gotten a 
puppy and would be sending her off to be trained.  However that secretary 
has since moved on to new employment.  I have no idea if she mentioned it to 
other people, or if others overheard.  I haven't kept it a secret, but it's 
not something that comes up either.

I was teetering between mentioning it casually in advance or just showing up 
with Jetta.  After reading the responses, I think I'm going to just show up 
with Jetta and explain as I go.  Those of you who mentioned that it doesn't 
make a difference to my job what dog I have with me are absolutely correct. 
I hadn't thought of it in that way before though.   Either will snooze under 
the desk and it shouldn't make anyone any never mind about which dog I 
choose to bring on any given day.

In the past when I've talked about retirement for Monty, the typical 
response is serious concern for what will happen to Monty.  I'm not sure if 
they think I'm going to dump him off in the country or what?  when I explain 
that he'll stay home, take long naps on the couch and work sometimes when 
he's up to it, the person seems very relieved. So maybe the switching back 
and forth won't cause as much confusion as I thought it might.

Thanks for all the responses!  It helped me to  feel more confident about my 
choices.

Julie

-----Original Message----- 
From: Star Gazer
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2014 11:41 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the workplace and new dogs

I'd have fun with it, bring one dog, then bring the other and when people
ask "Is that a new dog?" I'd get a blank look and say "no".

Or I'd say "Monty wasn't happy with how he looked, so this is the result"

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Vivianna
Sent: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 6:38 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the workplace and new dogs

personally, i would just show up with a dog.  but, that's just me.  it's
none of anybody's concern how my dog is being trained, by whom, or whatever.
but, that's just me.
legally, it's a guide dog so, i can have it there with me.

Vivianna

On May 6, 2014, at 5:17 PM, "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:

> A question for all of you lovely people!
>
> I think I know how I'm going to handle the situation, but I'm interested
to know how others would or have handled similar situations.
>
> The current plan is that I will be getting Jetta mid August.  Meghan will
be here for a few days, incorporating a weekend, to work with Jetta and I.
My work schedule is flexible, so I could work in my office the morning and
with Jetta in the afternoon or vice versa.  I could also work more hours
earlier in the week and spend the necessary weekdays with Meghan and Jetta.
All that to say, I'm not planning on taking any time off of work.
>
> I currently take Monty to work with me and have for several years.  It has
never been an issue.  However, when I requested/informed my supervisor that
I would be bringing my guide dog to work, it was a different person than my
current supervisor.    My supervisor is a lawyer, if that makes a difference
in regard to legal knowledge.
>
> Anyhow, I am planning on taking Jetta to work with me and probably fairly
soon, of course depending on how well she adjust to the new situation.  It
will be a big change for her.  she might need a bit to settle

in, but I think she'll be fine, if my visit with her is any indication of
how quickly she adapts.
>
> How would you guys handle the situation in regard to workplace
accommodations?  since I have already had a guide dog at work for some time,
would you just show up with the new dog and go on about your business?
Would you inform your supervisor that you will be bringing a different dog?
Would you re-request a guide dog as a reasonable accommodation?
>
> Also do you think it would cause confusion or any problems if I switched
between dogs?  For example working Jetta Monday and Tuesday, Monty on
Wednesday and then back to Jetta on Thursday and Friday?  I'm talking about
one dog at a time on alternate days, not two dogs at work.
>
> Curiously,
> Julie
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