Guide dogs shouldn't suffer from your addiction
Kari Albsmeyer
Issue date: 10/3/08 Section: Opinion
It need not be said that smoking is a disgusting bad habit that not only ruins your health, but turns off people around you who do not wish to smell the smoke coming out of your mouth. I am not going to get started on how disgusting and rude I think most smokers are because there are bigger issues on hand.
Another reason to stop smoking is the fact that not only are human beings around you suffering, but now innocent animals are as well, and it is happening on this campus.
It can be seen every day. A smoker stands outside a building or walks down the sidewalks smoking a cancer stick and making other people walk through their cloud of smoke to get to class. They finish their cigarette and then throw it on the ground and continue on their way.
Not only is this littering our campus and making it look bad, but it is now causing a new problem.
In case these people have failed to notice, there are people on our campus who have various disabilities that require them the use of an assistance dog. These dogs are trained to take their owner where they need to go and sometimes on the way to that destination, they both have to make a stop or two.
These stops could be standing outside and visiting with a friend, waiting on a ride or waiting for something else. Regardless of the reason for the stop, the dog is trained to sit or stand until the owner is ready to start moving again.
This means that if an assistance dog stops while standing on a cigarette that is not put out, they must deal with a burning sensation in their paw. These dogs are trained well and will not move away from the spot until told to do so.
People may not think this is a very big deal because they do not think many lit cigarettes are going to be laying around for a dog to step on.
Have you ever taken a second to look around and see how many buildings are littered with cigarette butts at their entrance? Have you ever noticed how few people put out their cigarette butts before walking away?
Take a second and think about where most people stop and visit with people or wait for a ride: outside the front of a building.
Where are most smoking entrances? Outside the front of our classroom buildings, our residence halls and various other buildings on campus.
People with disabilities should be able to go everywhere people without disabilities go without the fear that their assistance dog is going to get the pads on their paws burnt.
Once again, smokers need to get with the program and realize they are not only harming themselves, but other people and now animals too.
So smokers, if you don't care about your own health and you don't care about the health of those around you, maybe you might start caring about innocent animals that are trying to assist people. But then again, you probably won't, so just put your cig out before walking away next time.
Another reason to stop smoking is the fact that not only are human beings around you suffering, but now innocent animals are as well, and it is happening on this campus.
It can be seen every day. A smoker stands outside a building or walks down the sidewalks smoking a cancer stick and making other people walk through their cloud of smoke to get to class. They finish their cigarette and then throw it on the ground and continue on their way.
Not only is this littering our campus and making it look bad, but it is now causing a new problem.
In case these people have failed to notice, there are people on our campus who have various disabilities that require them the use of an assistance dog. These dogs are trained to take their owner where they need to go and sometimes on the way to that destination, they both have to make a stop or two.
These stops could be standing outside and visiting with a friend, waiting on a ride or waiting for something else. Regardless of the reason for the stop, the dog is trained to sit or stand until the owner is ready to start moving again.
This means that if an assistance dog stops while standing on a cigarette that is not put out, they must deal with a burning sensation in their paw. These dogs are trained well and will not move away from the spot until told to do so.
People may not think this is a very big deal because they do not think many lit cigarettes are going to be laying around for a dog to step on.
Have you ever taken a second to look around and see how many buildings are littered with cigarette butts at their entrance? Have you ever noticed how few people put out their cigarette butts before walking away?
Take a second and think about where most people stop and visit with people or wait for a ride: outside the front of a building.
Where are most smoking entrances? Outside the front of our classroom buildings, our residence halls and various other buildings on campus.
People with disabilities should be able to go everywhere people without disabilities go without the fear that their assistance dog is going to get the pads on their paws burnt.
Once again, smokers need to get with the program and realize they are not only harming themselves, but other people and now animals too.
So smokers, if you don't care about your own health and you don't care about the health of those around you, maybe you might start caring about innocent animals that are trying to assist people. But then again, you probably won't, so just put your cig out before walking away next time.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
Stevie Wonders
posted 10/04/08 @ 3:19 AM CST
Does anyone else actually think this is a legitimate issue? This writer worries wayyy too much. I mean, what are the odds of a blind person stopping in the middle of a sidewalk within 30 seconds of a lit cigarette being tossed? Then, what are the odds the dog (who is not blind) is unaware of the cigarette or too lionhearted to instinctually step off of it? Please find these blind people and ask them if this has ever happened to their dog. (Continued…)
PwD-SD-Awareness
posted 10/04/08 @ 10:18 AM CST
This writer is obviously a non-smoker or a reformed smoker which is usually worse. Then using people with disabilities with their service animals (ie dogs) to make a point. (Continued…)
RPTA 251
posted 10/04/08 @ 10:19 AM CST
I'm in RPTA 251 and our teacher brought this issue to our attention. There have been actual complaints on this campus of guide dogs having their pads burnt. (Continued…)
Alumni Jim
posted 10/05/08 @ 11:20 AM CST
I have to say, this is one heck of a stretch. It's really reaching to exploit something to bolster your point. What's next? Pleading for the health of the baby birds in the trees? Anti-smokers have come up with some ridiculous stuff to justify their sanctimony, but this truly takes the cake. (Continued…)
Jim Cooke
posted 10/05/08 @ 5:53 PM CST
Hm...well, I don't see why smokers just can't throw their butts away. Seems to me that if they threw their butts away like they are supposed to not only would it be a lot better looking around campus, but also stop this whole problem. (Continued…)
?
posted 10/05/08 @ 6:26 PM CST
I don't think the author was saying that the dogs were stupid or that anyone else was- and it's a very serious accusation to say that she would be manipulative enough to completly make a concern up to further an anti smoking agenda. (Continued…)
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