Hope2B posted 4/14/2021 14:38 PM

One of my neighbors is a gal who has a visually impaired brother and they all live with their elderly mother.

The siblings are now in their mid-to-late 60s. She hasn't worked in 17 years although she is NOT disabled--she just doesn't want to work--she gets medical care free & lives with her elderly mom who supports her and her brother. Her brother has never worked, although he is capable of working in a phone center or other jobs that don't require good vision--he also doesn't want to work & never has.

The brother doesn't do much except stay home or in his room and watch TV and movies, and has one of those enlarging screens so he can use the computer. He's fine with this. He does not go on walks or visit friends (he really doesn't have friends) or go shopping--his sister is his 'home health care aide' who does shopping for him & drives him to the doc as needed.

The sister wants to get a guide dog for the blind for him. He doesn't really want one & he, his sister & mom wouldn't be able to afford the dog's food or vet bills & he already said he wouldn't use the dog to help him be independent. He doesn't want his life to change--not even going on walk. His sister is a force of nature and may manipulate him into getting a dog.

They had a dog as a pet once.
The dog was ignored and they could only afford crappy food (or no food sometimes!!), didn't get vaccinations, and the dog was not cared for in terms of veterinary care and the dog died before his time due to their neglect and no veterinary care. I gave her money once for vet care & I was VERY clear it was for Rufus (she was crying that Rufus would die without a surgery), then learned she used it on a spa day for herself. Rufus didn't die that time so I don't even know if the sad sob story was true. I should have paid the vet directly.

I know there is a screening process and then a training process for the individual and the guide dog but I don't know the details. I'm afraid somehow this man will get a guide dog and the dog will suffer from neglect. Is there anything I can do at this point to circumvent this, should his sister manipulate this situation?

zebra25 posted 4/14/2021 17:32 PM

I have no experience with guide dogs but my guess is they are not cheap. If these people can't afford to feed a dog then they will not be able to afford the cost of the dog.

I am sure there is a lot of time and expense that goes into training a dog so I would think they would be very careful who they give the dogs to.

If your neighbors do end up working with an organization to get a dog maybe you could speak with somebody at the organization about your concerns. I'm sure they would not want one of their highly trained dogs to go to a neglectful home.

Hope2B posted 4/15/2021 00:22 AM

Thank, zebra. The guide dogs are not cheap, but they are given at to cost to the visually impaired person. Both the dog and the person getting the dog have to be trained together--this is after the dog finishes their own training.

I hope and pray the screening process will eliminate this man from qualifying for a guide dog. I think, just in case, I'll be looking up local organizations and contact them about their screening process, and how they know if things are bogus when people reply.

The1stWife posted 4/15/2021 07:22 AM

If the man states he won’t use the dog that may be enough.

If you are concerned, find out the qualifications needed and ask to speak to the organization’s leader to express your concerns.

I have friends who train these dogs. More need than availability, so I hope it this man doesn’t want it, he doesn’t get it.

Hope2B posted 4/15/2021 10:56 AM

Thanks, 1st!