ENTITLED VS EMPOWERED-- A VERY DELICATE BALANCE WITH THAT TOPIC... I AM THRILLED THAT TWO DOGS OF OURS ETHEL AND CLARK HAVE EMPOWERED THEIR PARTNERS TO STICK UP FOR WHAT SHOULD BE-- AND HOPEFULLY THEY BEHAVED IN THE PROCESS...
FROM JULIA
Many voices can change the world! Ethel and I met this morning with the hospital commander here at Fort Leonard Wood and I got an apology for the emergency room not allowing Ethel to be with me in the treatment room and an entire policy change!!! Because someone slapped a service dog badge on their pet and that pet attacked a nurse, they were outlawing any service dog in the er. But after talking, the commander agreed service dogs, not emotional support dogs, are necessary pieces of medical equipment for their person and denying the person their dog is unlawful. So thank you for all the support!! We did it!!
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AND THEN CAROLINE
Dear Carlene,
I wanted to let you know about a situation that came up with Clark.
I applied and interviewed for a speech therapist position at a school that would have been for next school year. I have a Master's degree is speech pathology, but have not worked clinically.
I had a phone screening and two in-person interviews, where I a) told them I had a service dog and B) brought Clark with me. No questions were raised about him at that time.
This past Tuesday, the school principal called with questions about Clark. They wanted to know about what to do if a student had dog allergies and if there was an "equally effective alternative to Clark." I said that there have been no issues where I work now (a hospital), kids wouldn't be petting the dog, he could lie down a little away from them, etc. And no, there is no alternative.
Yesterday, the principal called to say that they could not offer me the position because of Clark. I asked if I was otherwise qualified and Clark was the only issue. They said yes.
They are a school for kids with learning disabilities.
I will be meeting with the EEOC on Monday to discuss the issue. We will obviously not be working at the school, so we will be staying where we are welcomed with open arms. But if there is something that I can do to make sure that this doesn't happen to someone else, then I will.
I wanted to keep you informed. In no way do I regret having Clark. He is so much better than a walker, and more amazing than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for Clark and for everything you do.
Let me know if you have any questions, etc.
Caroline
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We went to the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) office this morning. The investigator recommended that I definitely file a charge, which I did. The charge will be served today or tomorrow. The investigator also said that he would recommend that the case NOT be eligible for mediation (the nice way to come to an agreement without lawyers), since there is substantial evidence that they are in direct violation of ADA. They will have 30 days to respond.
Clark was on his best behavior, too (not that I was surprised!). It did feel a little like a scene from a movie...marching down to the federal building downtown to make a point...I will keep you posted!
Caroline
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WAY TO GO !!! WORDS LIKE "LAZY WAY OUT " COME TO MIND... IT IS SO MUCH EASIER TO SAY NO ... AND NOT TO HAVE TO ADDRESS A SITUATION.
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I REMEMBER.....( HERE WE GO) WHEN I FIRST STARTED THIS SERVICE DOG BIT, I THOUGHT I HAD PUBLIC ACCESS WHILE I WAS TRAINING A DOG.. BUT IN 2003-- I WAS NOT POSITIVE...... I WENT TO A SMALL MALL WHERE ONE OF THOSE "ALMOST A COP" WITH PLASTIC GUN.. TOLD ME TO LEAVE.. ... BEING A LITTLE OLD LADY WITH NOT MUCH TO DO ANYWAY, I PLUNKED MYSELF DOWN ON A BENCH- AND TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS WAS A SERVICE DOG IN TRAINING-
HE( THESE SECURITY GUARDS ARE ALWAYS MEN...) WITH GREAT AUTHORITY SAID HE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO CALL THE POLICE--THINKING THAT WOULD FRIGHTEN ANYONE...( MEAN WHILE I WAS THINKING ---OH GOOD FREE PUBLICITY) PLAYING THE LITTLE OLD LADY TO THE HILT, I JUST SAT-- AND HAD THE DOG DOWN STAY AT MY FEET.
HIS INSTRUCTION BOOK DID NOT TELL HIM WHAT TO DO WITH AN OBSTANITE OLD LADY- SO HE CALLED THE MANAGER...
THE MANAGER WAS A WELL EDUCATED GUY WHO TRIED ALL THE PSYCOLOGICAL THINGS HE HAD LEARNED IN MANAGERS SCHOOL TO AT LEAST GET ME ON MY FEET HEADED OUT THE DOOR.
I SAT MOTIONLESS...
FINALLY HE SAID "I MANAGED A MALL IN MALDEN ONCE WHERE THEY DID A COMMERCIAL WITH A SCHOOLTEACHER FROM MAINE WHO HAD 2 OF THE BIGGEST SPOTTED DOGS I HAD EVER SEEN" WHEN I TOLD HIM THAT WAS ME..IN COSTUME- WE BECAME BEST FRIENDS-- AND HE LISTENED TO WHAT I WAS SAYING-- WE DID HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS FOR TRAINING...AND I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE SINCE.
I AM DELIGHTED BOTH STUCK UP FOR THIER SITUATIONS.. AS A MATTER OF FACT ALOT OF BELLA AND GEORGE IS THE HARD WORK AND JUDGEMENT OF BELLA'S MOM
WHEN BELLA'S ATTENDANT COMPLAINED TO THE PRINCIPAL ABOUT ALLERGIES AND "I USED UP EVERY TISSUE IN THE BUILDING BECAUSE OF THAT DANM DOG" I WANTED TO SEND A TRAILER TRUCKLOAD OF KLEENEX TO THE SCHOOL... BUT MEGAN AND OTHERS STOPPED ME.. AND STRUGGLED ON WITH A PRINCIOAL WHO REALLY WANTED TO BE RID OF THE PROBLEM BY HAVING WHAT SHE CONSIDERED A PET DOG, STAY AT HOME....
SOMETIMES GOTTA FIGHT-- BU T THAT FIGHT HAS TO BE MORE "WORK" THAN NOISE.-- BOTH JULIA AND CAROLINE FELT THEY WERE RIGHT AND APPROACHED THE PROBLEM QUIETLY AND CORRECTLY--
THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY "I WILL FIX THAT SOB BY ATTACKING ANYTHING CONNECTED TO HIM " LIKE HE HAD A TICKET 3 YEARS AGO FOR PARKING INN A HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACE- KIND OF ATTACK.
THEY DID VRY WELL
AS OPPOSED TO MY PUBLICITY SEEKING TRAILERLOAD OF KLEENEX...-- WHICH WOUL DHAVE BEEN MUCH MORE FUN.... HOWEVER.....
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STAY TUNED-- I REMEMBER ONE RECIPIENT WHO WAS BADLY INSULTED ( FOR ALSO BEING CALLED SOMETHING BESIDES 'A WOMAN' ) WHO GOT A PICKUP TRUCK WITH HAND CONTROLS OUT OF A ONE CUP OF COFFEE PROBLEM.
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OUR OWLS ARE STILL WITH US-- AS OF LAST NIGHT ANYWAY -- BETWEEN THE OWLS AND MAUDE'S BELLY WE HAVE ALOT OF VIEWERS THIS WEEK....
ONE CP SUGGESTED THE BABY COULD ALSO BE A ZONKEY--- THIS IS POSSIBLE BUT.....
IN MY EXPERIENCE ZEBRAS ARE FOUL TEMPERED DANGEROUS THINGS...
ZONKEYS CAN GO EITHER WAY AND ARE DANGEROUS
CUTE BUT NO THANKS !!
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William (HUBER....PHOTOGRAPHER) wants to get the word out with trainers and local SDP Dane owners to find out if their Danes do odd things - like Scarlott yawning on command gave inspiration for the Diner calendar shot. Any Danes out there doing odd things?
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AND SO IT GOES...
