Removed #1 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Okay so this was a strange enough read...because well it wasn't something that I've seen in the news.............and they were supposed to be working on...ya know fixing the state's pension problem in IL. Instead....we ended up with an almost unanimous passing of a bill that allows disabled people to use miniature horses as seeing eye dogs... wat? SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) – Illinois lawmakers may have gotten stymied on the issue of pension reform, a multi-billion-dollar mess affecting every taxpayer in the state. But at least they managed to pass a bill involving miniature horses. You heard that right. Under a measure the House sent to Gov. Quinn Thursday night – the evening members were supposed to consider a cost-saving pension bill – people with disabilities could use miniature horses as service animals in public places, much like guide dogs are used. The vote was near-unanimous. “I have no concerns that we’re gonna see any stampede in grocery stores or anything like that,†Chicago’s WBEZ quoted sponsoring Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, as saying. “This is an issue that pertains really to the disabled community, and it’s something that puts us in compliance to the federal law.†An overhaul of future state pension benefits for retired public employees was the centerpiece of the spring legislative session, but it collapsed late Thursday just before the deadline to adjourn. Illinois government has underfunded pensions by tens of billions of dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramyeggs Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 (edited) I work at a University in Illinois,and am on my executive board as well. I understand your feelings about the pension plan,but would like to share a few facts with you. When I retire after 30 years of service, I can look forward to about 2000 dollar a month pension. That is 24000 a year. My interest rates for my pension are set below social security. When i do draw my pension, i dont get social security.When i retire, i am forced to pay for medicaid B even though my pension carries insurance. I will be forced to pay for something i have no need for. We just ratified a 4 year contract with a 1 percent raise per year. I make a little under 28 thousand a year. The president of our university just recieved a 3.8 percent raise while making close to 300 thousand a year. That is not to mention that he also gets a housing,entertainment,and travel allowance. He makes more off of his allowances than I make in a year. We have professors who work 15 hours a week, and make more than 70 thousand a year. I understand your frustration, but the pension system has been borrowed against for years. While Blago was trying to sell a senate seat, and traveling on not one, but 2 private jets,while renovating the governors house, he also lived in Chicago. The unions are what have us 5 day work Weeks,and overtime. They stopped chid labor, and fought for equal pay for women. I understand there are huge problems with our state budget, but the pension system isn't to blame. We are, for not keeping our politicians in check. I took my job as I watched all the private industry dry up here in central Illinois. I took a job cooking in 115 degree kitchens when I could be making better money if I just moved. My job isnt easy, and carpal tunnel along with arthritus has destroyed some of my older coworkers hands, and arms. I have electrical, and welding experience. I have my roots here, and wanted to raise my family close to to our extended family. I hope this adds a little light to this for you, and you don't see this as complaints from another lazy state employee. Sorry for the rant, but we get beat with this all the time. How is it that many states have a well funded pension system, and are not going bankrupt? The judges pension system of Illinois is doing great because they (state government) are not allowed to touch it. Edit: didn't mean to steer off course, couldn't help myself. Why in bloody hell would you use a miniature horse? The mess you have to clean up is pretty big. Must be for us down state with all the Amish and all? End of rant, have a great weekend in this cooler weather. Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2 Edited June 2, 2012 by Jeramyeggs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 honestly I'm kinda surprised I have just seen this news today O_O years ago I've seen a blind man using a dark brown miniature horse as his seeing eye "dog" in TV! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sutsibe Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 I had actually heard of using miniature horses as guides for the blind before, too, but can't recall what advantage they felt they offered over dogs, except that they live longer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubel1 Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 we have about 4 miniature horse farms within a 5-6 mile radius and I know they are used in the nursing home rehab program along with the dogs. They are smart little things, however about the mess.. LOL.. Miniature horses used as guide animals have been trained to only go outside or they wear a diaper Illinois is a mess, we are feeling the effects of it here in our little town, which if the gov. has his way will soon be a ghost town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #1 Posted June 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 I don't understand borrowing from pension plans... ...or social security... ...or yeah...my thoughts are generally if I'm paying this tax/fee/whatever for THIS then it should...ya know....be used for that. As for the horses...that's what really struck me here....I've never heard of it...and that it was a large enough issue to require legislation sort of surprises me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramyeggs Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Thanks fox, wasn't trying to derail the subject. I totally missed this article. Illinois is broken,and this is probably the best legislation we have passed in months. Again, sorry for my tangent, it hits close to home. Can you imagine a blind person going into his yard to get his seeing eye horse. It is hard enough for me to watch where I step. Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyshqa Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 I had to answer an exam question a few weeks ago on guide horses for my university degree! The US Guide Horse Foundation was founded in 1999, the first two horses trained as guide horses by this foundation were Cuddles and Panda. UK Guide Horses was founded in 2003, with their founding horse, Rosie, kicking things off over here. There are a number of advantages of using guide horsed; if people are allergic to or fearful of dogs, or have a physical disability that would require them to need to lean on or be supported by their guide animal occasionally, a horse is a much better option (some bigger breed guide dogs are taught to hold still so a person can support themselves on the dog, but this is much more practical for a stronger, steadier horse). They are also more cost effective because they don't cost as much to train as a dog, and once trained they have a much longer lifespan, and therefore working life. Their feeding and veterinary costs can be higher than for dogs, and if someone is allergic or fearful of horses they're probably not the best choice! Their selection process is a lot simpler than for dogs (which usually undergo the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test) - they receive field intelligence testing where their levels of alertness and interaction are measured, noting things such as ear motion, pressure response, response to socialisation, and an 'unveg' test (navigating a detour to achieve a goal). Their training takes 6-12 months and begins after weaning at about 6 months of age (compared to 12-14 months of age for dogs). They're extensively socialised, taught to live indoors (including house training and wearing sneakers!), taught how to use escalators, get in and out of cars, how to walk on lead, and at the moment they're taught 23 voice commands. I think the most interesting thing they're taught though is 'intelligent disobedience' - as with dogs, they're taught that if their owner asks them to do something that will put them in danger, for example asking them to cross a road when cars are coming, they should make a decision to ignore the command and wait until it is safe, or move off to safety. If you think guide horses are weird, look up 'Helping Hands Monkey Helpers' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Removed #1 Posted June 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 I had to answer an exam question a few weeks ago on guide horses for my university degree! The US Guide Horse Foundation was founded in 1999, the first two horses trained as guide horses by this foundation were Cuddles and Panda. UK Guide Horses was founded in 2003, with their founding horse, Rosie, kicking things off over here. There are a number of advantages of using guide horsed; if people are allergic to or fearful of dogs, or have a physical disability that would require them to need to lean on or be supported by their guide animal occasionally, a horse is a much better option (some bigger breed guide dogs are taught to hold still so a person can support themselves on the dog, but this is much more practical for a stronger, steadier horse). They are also more cost effective because they don't cost as much to train as a dog, and once trained they have a much longer lifespan, and therefore working life. Their feeding and veterinary costs can be higher than for dogs, and if someone is allergic or fearful of horses they're probably not the best choice! Their selection process is a lot simpler than for dogs (which usually undergo the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test) - they receive field intelligence testing where their levels of alertness and interaction are measured, noting things such as ear motion, pressure response, response to socialisation, and an 'unveg' test (navigating a detour to achieve a goal). Their training takes 6-12 months and begins after weaning at about 6 months of age (compared to 12-14 months of age for dogs). They're extensively socialised, taught to live indoors (including house training and wearing sneakers!), taught how to use escalators, get in and out of cars, how to walk on lead, and at the moment they're taught 23 voice commands. I think the most interesting thing they're taught though is 'intelligent disobedience' - as with dogs, they're taught that if their owner asks them to do something that will put them in danger, for example asking them to cross a road when cars are coming, they should make a decision to ignore the command and wait until it is safe, or move off to safety. If you think guide horses are weird, look up 'Helping Hands Monkey Helpers' Thank you Thank you Thank you for such an informative response. I'd really never seen or heard of them so it was just a surprising read... I can't look up helper monkies...all I think of is flying poop and children trying to convince me that if I let them get a monkey they would train it to be a helper monkey...instead of ya know...being...yeaaaaah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyshqa Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Thank you Thank you Thank you for such an informative response. I'd really never seen or heard of them so it was just a surprising read... I can't look up helper monkies...all I think of is flying poop and children trying to convince me that if I let them get a monkey they would train it to be a helper monkey...instead of ya know...being...yeaaaaah Haha! Well tell them they take upwards of 5 years to train, might put them off XD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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