Dog Denied Spot At Autistic Boy's School

Does anybody running that school have a BRAIN - Don't think so

A school of all places - relfects no common scense.

And these people claim to be teachers and caring people. Unbelieveable......

Bummer. However, the parents could have given the school prior notice so that they were prepared for the dog...
The dog should be allowed if needed at school, but there are things that need to be considered, such as placing children with dog allergies in different classrooms, or talking to the class ahead of time about the appropriate way to treat a service dog. There is a lot of work behind the scenes that goes into accommodations.

I agree the parents should have called for a meeting to discuss this BEFORE having the child with the dog show up one day. I have no idea about regulations of companion or a service dog but it seems the parents would have to have a
certificate of health, rabies vaccination certificate, etc. from a veterinarian. Also, a plan for a dog business and clean up. Seems people were not thinking logically...a little common sense goes a long way. Houdini sounds like a great dog with a big responsibility. Good luck to all.

This story disgusts me! The East Meadow school district on Long Island is trying to do the same thing to a hearing impaired young man. Their excuse is that other kids might have allergies! There is a law for a reason! He won a lawsuit which is now being appealed and he still has to attend school without his dog. I think it's inexcusable!

well, allergies is a good reason and if your child had those allergies to dogs, you'd all feel differently. we're talking about probably many kids. the school would need to determine which children had allergies and make sure those children didn't share the same space at the same time. some kids may of had to had a class reassigned in order to accommodate a child with a dog. not considering the allergy factor and just walking in with a dog one day shows no consideration to those who have allergies. we're also talking about a Pre K, which generally isn't a full day anyway, plus there are 125 students at the Pre K with developmental disabilities, including autism. not all kids like animals, and are fearful of them and more so dogs. not preparing these kids for a dog is hardly a way to exercise your right to Americans with Disabilities Act, and possibly infringing on other's educational rights.

What if this were a blind child with a seeing-eye dog? Would this school still have barred the dog from the building? Service dogs are allowed everywhere....even restaurants.

Regarding the comment about children being afraid of animals.....hasn't anyone read the studies of animals having a calming influence in classrooms, nursing homes, etc. What a great teaching tool this dog could be to the rest of the class!

dogs for autism can be considered service dogs however it can be looked as a companion too. there is a difference between a child whose a runner and a Para, and replacing that Para with a dog. that is the issue, what is the job of that dog as to what is provided for that child in
Pre K.

My child with autism is very afraid of dogs. they have no calming effect on him, and we're talking about a class made up of kids with disabilities. a service dog is not meant to help the whole class either, it's meant to help one child. if my Pre K child was in that class, I'd be highly upset there was no preparing him for the presense of a great fear he has.

if this was a blind child, this child more than likely would not be attending this Pre K but a different setting. besides that, you do not walk into a Pre K where other children are, not knowing who is allergic or not and expect no issues without prior notice the dog in coming. for starters, the dog should had been included into the IEP- the school would need to prepare the class for the dog.

it is another case of the needs of one and no consideration for the needs of the many others

I would think that the ADA would give Jayden the right to have the dog at school especially since the dog helps with emothional outbursts, etc. not with just with companionship. Since autism is somewhat new to the school districts in that it is not fully developed in our (school administration) scheme of things, it would be a good idea to try as many techniques possible to provide help for anyone in need. And since the schools are encouraged to help each individual child to learn, then maybe we need to reconsider! I vote yes for Houdini!

This is outragous. Would the dog have been banned if the boy was blind? Obviously, well it's obvious to me, that the dog is an Autism Service dog, not just a pet, the dog was bought for the purpose of helping the boy with his disabilities, and to help him live a more normal life.

Lorraine Moore wrote:

Does anybody running that school have a BRAIN - Don't think so

My son has a severe allergy to dogs. He could never be in class with a dog. It is unfair to conclude the school is uncaring about this child. School administrators have a responsibility to ALL of the students not just one.

My kids have used Service Dogs, I use a Service Dog. But PLEASE!!! 4 years old is just not an appropriate age to be responsible to supervise, control, manage a pet dog, let alone a Service Dog! The kid can't even tie his shoes yet! The boy is not mature enough to be able to use reason, planning, and judgement skills necessary in using a Service Dog.

Also, who is going to take care of the dogs needs during school? Is it a safe place for the dog? This is not the kob for the teacjers and the teacher's aids to do.

This is an accisent waiting to happen!

What I have read from the Dept. of Justice on the ADA, would dictate that this child would NOT be qualified to use a Service Dog in school or in public.

A good ESA (Emotional Support Animal), or in-home only Service Dog could be of immeasurable benefit to this little boy, though.

Respectfully,
Roxann Hamilton M.Ed.

Where is the information regarding dogs helping autistic children from the 10pm Chicago Ch. 5 News? The host said it would be found on NBC5.com . I cannot find it.

The school must take into consideration all the children in the school. Some may have asthma, some other allergies and schools cannot have situations that forfills the needs of one set of parents. A animal of any kind is a wonderful gesture, but the guidelines protecting all the children must be addressed. Let the animal wait at home by the door at home every day.

Lorraine Moore wrote:

Does anybody running that school have a BRAIN - Don't think so

Did you stop to ask yourself if the other kids (Especially kids with autism)might be afraid of dogs? Didn't think so.