ADA 30th

On July 26, 2020, the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) celebrated its 30th anniversary. Leader Dogs for the Blind celebrates  this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone els.

Update

A few weeks ago I had to retire my guide due to major distraction issues that posed safety issues. I am in the process of getting a new guide, but who knows when that will be. So  there will be no more posts from Ori, but I'll keep posting, I've got a few lined up

☆Katie

Physical distancing

Can we please call it physical distancing instead of social list distancing? You can help without touching. And you're probably sick of all my articles about guide dogs and physical distancing, but knowledge is power and shareable. So please share

https://amp.abc.net.au/article/12479614

☆Katie

Watch This Video

I LOVE this channel. She's so educational. Hopefully it takes you down a rabbit hole of learning. And as alwayß ask questions if you have them.

https://youtu.be/KjUJRi1Gfs8

☆Katie

All My Friends in One Week

Week of 6/18: I got to see Piper, Bonnie, Mint and met Pretzel. Mom let her friend pull me into a doggy pool to swim. Mint still hates me as evidenced by the photo.

PD: Mint, a yellow lab, laying against a chair glaring at me as far from Ori as possible. Ori, a mostly black GSD, is intently looking at something on the ground.

♡Ori

Masks

I don't know who reads this blog but here is some interesting information about masks and the ADA 

https://www.adasoutheast.org/ada/publications/legal/ada-and-face-mask-policies.php

But mmooomm

Me: you can't be part of the  chair.

Ori: watch me. *presses into chair

PD: Ori laying pressed into side of an upholstered chair in a living room

♡ori

Blind Physical Distancing

Please be kind. We're trying but it isnt easy.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2020/06/07/new-normal-of-social-distancing-could-become-a-new-nightmare-for-blind-people/

☆Katie

Guide dog etiquette

This is a list of things that you should do when you see a guide dog team. Some are from the human, some are from the dog, and others are from both (noted after each). Honestly, this is just me ranting about things I do not like that people do

1)I may be cute but I've got a job, I am NOT here for you. -dog

2)if you want to do something nice, like hold a hold a door open please tell me, I'm not a jerk -human

3) don't pet the dog, just don't even ask, the answer is no, she's working. It's also distracting to the dog -human and dog

4) "over there" and anyother phrases like it don't help, they only frustrate. Play hot and cold with me I don't care-human

5) no, I don't want to hear about your dog (dead or otherwise) -human

6)I may wear glasses, but they don't "fix"my vision -human

7)I don't understand directions, tell my mom -dog

8) just because I'm in your class/ mom "knows" you does not give you petting privilege (see 1) -human and dog

These may seem like petty things to you but I don't speak up often, so I use writing .If you have questions please ask, I don't bite (hard, lol jk). I'd rather answer questions than rant. USE YOUR VOICE, EDUCATE YOURSELF, EDUICATE OTHERS.

☆Katie

♡Ori

Squirrel

Storytime

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So the squirrels on campus are pretty tame, like follow you home tame. We were walking out of a building after class and there is a squirrel sitting in the middle of the sidewalk eatting something totally oblivious to the world and the dog that just walked out of the building 30 feet from it. Seeing this situation I decided to see how close we could get before the squirrel ran. We get within a few feet (>5) before it saw  Ori and scooted.  

Shameless

I know times are hard but every little bit helps, and even if you can't donate you could join my team or share the link and help spread the word. I'm bored and have nothing better to do with my time

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/xrdd6j/account/981367/