[Journalists] Guide dogs and emergencies per previous discussion

[LoriStay@aol.com]

 (http://www.guidedogs.com/index.html)  
Emergencies Involving Guide Dog  Teams  
By Brian Francis, Assessment and Graduate Services  Manager, Guide Dogs for 
the Blind  
When a Guide Dog is involved in an emergency situation in a public place,  
members of the emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance may require 
 some guidance regarding the Guide Dog. This information may also be passed 
on to  graduates who question how they should deal with an emergency situation. 
 
Emergency services should be informed that Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. is  
ready to assist by providing information or direct assistance in an emergency 
 situation. This offer is not affected by the ownership status of the team. 
In  the case of an emergency, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. should be informed 
of  the nature of the emergency as soon as possible. The graduate would 
normally do  this, but if this is not possible, a family member, friend or any 
agency may  inform us of the situation. If the welfare of the dog is in jeopardy, 
then Guide  Dogs for the Blind, Inc. will take action to remedy that 
situation. The name and  phone number of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. is inscribed on 
the tag attached  to the dog’s collar or leash (1 800 295 4050).  
When a graduate is involved in an emergency situation and they are present  
and able to communicate, they should provide the necessary information 
regarding  the welfare of the dog. This may involve contacting a relative or friend 
who  will care for the dog while the graduate is unable to do so. Failing this, 
Guide  Dogs for the Blind, Inc. should be contacted for advice and assistance. 
 
If the graduate is involved in an emergency situation and requires ambulance  
assistance to hospital, the dog may be transported with the graduate. This is 
on  the understanding that the graduate is able to maintain control over the 
dog and  there is no medical reason why the dog cannot be transported.  
In the event that a graduate is unable to maintain control over the dog due  
to injury, unconsciousness or any other reason, the attending professionals 
may  request that the dog is not transported with the graduate. In such a case, 
the  dog may be transferred to a friend or relative who is present or, failing 
this,  the dog may be transported to a local animal welfare organization for 
temporary  care. If responsibility for the care of the dog is transferred to 
any person  other than the graduate, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. should be 
informed as  soon as possible by calling 1 800 295 4050. 
Information for emergency personnel  
Under normal circumstances, the Guide Dog is a well-trained and friendly  
animal that will display no aggression towards strangers. In an emergency or  
accident situation the dog may become frightened, confused and apprehensive. If  
this occurs the reaction from the dog may vary from not wishing to leave its  
master to trying to escape the area. In extreme cases, the dog may show  
aggressive or protective tendencies. 
Whenever possible, allow the graduate to control and reassure their dog.  
Failing this a person who knows the dog is the best option to act as a calming  
influence. If no assistance is available from the graduate, a friend or a 
family  member, the local animal welfare organization may be called to assist with  
ensuring the safety of the dog and the emergency personnel. 
The approach taken towards a dog that is frightened or apprehensive should be 
 calm and quiet. The dog will require a reassuring attitude if it is to feel  
secure. A loud or aggressive approach towards the dog will only aggravate the 
 fear in the dog. Food reward may be used to encourage a fearful dog to trust 
the  person communicating with it. Guide Dogs for the Blind may be contacted 
at any  time for advice on any particular situation by calling 1 800 295 4050. 
 
In any emergency situation, the welfare of the graduate will take precedence  
over the dog. The dog should come to no harm if it is given care on a 
temporary  basis by any sensible and mature individual. Assistance will be given by 
Guide  Dogs for the Blind, Inc. at short notice when the situation warrants 
such  action.    
____________________________________
  
_Back to Our  Graduates
_ (http://www.guidedogs.com/graduates.html) _Back to the Home  Page_ 
(http://www.guidedogs.com/) 
 
____________________________________

Guide Dogs for the  Blind
A nonprofit, charitable  organization

(800) 295-4050 • _www.guidedogs.com_ (http://www.guidedogs.com/index.html) 
National Office: P.O. Box  151200 • San Rafael, California 94915-1200 
California Campus: 350 Los Ranchitos Road, San  Rafael, CA 94903 • (415) 
499-4000
Oregon Campus:  32901 S.E. Kelso Road, Boring, OR 97009 • (503)  668-2100
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http://www.guidedogs.com/index.html http://www.guidedogs.com/images/Logo.jpg
Emergencies Involving Guide Dog Teams
By
Brian Francis, Assessment and Graduate Services Manager, Guide Dogs for the Blind
When a Guide Dog is involved in an emergency situation in a public place, members of the emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance may require some guidance regarding the Guide Dog. This information may also be passed on to graduates who question how they should deal with an emergency situation.
Emergency services should be informed that Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. is ready to assist by providing information or direct assistance in an emergency situation. This offer is not affected by the ownership status of the team. In the case of an emergency, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. should be informed of the nature of the emergency as soon as possible. The graduate would normally do this, but if this is not possible, a family member, friend or any agency may inform us of the situation. If the welfare of the dog is in jeopardy, then Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. will take action to remedy that situation. The name and phone number of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. is inscribed on the tag attached to the dog’s collar or leash (1 800 295 4050).
When a graduate is involved in an emergency situation and they are present and able to communicate, they should provide the necessary information regarding the welfare of the dog. This may involve contacting a relative or friend who will care for the dog while the graduate is unable to do so. Failing this, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. should be contacted for advice and assistance.
If the graduate is involved in an emergency situation and requires ambulance assistance to hospital, the dog may be transported with the graduate. This is on the understanding that the graduate is able to maintain control over the dog and there is no medical reason why the dog cannot be transported.
In the event that a graduate is unable to maintain control over the dog due to injury, unconsciousness or any other reason, the attending professionals may request that the dog is not transported with the graduate. In such a case, the dog may be transferred to a friend or relative who is present or, failing this, the dog may be transported to a local animal welfare organization for temporary care. If responsibility for the care of the dog is transferred to any person other than the graduate, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. should be informed as soon as possible by calling 1 800 295 4050.
Information for emergency personnel
Under normal circumstances, the Guide Dog is a well-trained and friendly animal that will display no aggression towards strangers. In an emergency or accident situation the dog may become frightened, confused and apprehensive. If this occurs the reaction from the dog may vary from not wishing to leave its master to trying to escape the area. In extreme cases, the dog may show aggressive or protective tendencies.
Whenever possible, allow the graduate to control and reassure their dog. Failing this a person who knows the dog is the best option to act as a calming influence. If no assistance is available from the graduate, a friend or a family member, the local animal welfare organization may be called to assist with ensuring the safety of the dog and the emergency personnel.
The approach taken towards a dog that is frightened or apprehensive should be calm and quiet. The dog will require a reassuring attitude if it is to feel secure. A loud or aggressive approach towards the dog will only aggravate the fear in the dog. Food reward may be used to encourage a fearful dog to trust the person communicating with it. Guide Dogs for the Blind may be contacted at any time for advice on any particular situation by calling 1 800 295 4050.
In any emergency situation, the welfare of the graduate will take precedence over the dog. The dog should come to no harm if it is given care on a temporary basis by any sensible and mature individual. Assistance will be given by Guide Dogs for the Blind, Inc. at short notice when the situation warrants such action.
 
http://www.guidedogs.com/graduates.html Back to Our Graduates
http://www.guidedogs.com/
Back to the Home Page
Guide Dogs for the Blind
A nonprofit, charitable organization
(800) 295-4050
•
http://www.guidedogs.com/index.html
www.guidedogs.com
National Office: P.O. Box 151200
•
San Rafael, California 94915-1200
California Campus: 350 Los Ranchitos Road, San Rafael, CA 94903
•
(415) 499-4000
Oregon Campus: 32901 S.E. Kelso Road, Boring, OR 97009
• (503) 668-2100