Just sick! Service dog not allowed in school!

[SWTexasBelle]

My philosophy is that a parent knows what is best for his/her child. Whatever a parent chooses - public, private, charter or homeschooling - should be supported. The bottom line is what is going to provide the child with the best, most appropriate education.

[EeyoresButterfly]

SW: That's a good philosophy, although unfortunately I have seen instances where what the parent wants is obviously not what is best for the child. In those cases, I don't support the parents choice, but will do what I can to work with it. I've had to do that this past year with two students I work with.

[felinefan]

Getting back to the dog issue, how had can it be to tell the rest of the class that little Tommy needs a specially trained dog with him, and since the dog is working, to not pet or play with the dog? Okay, kindergarteners, you may have to say that a few times over, but I believe it still can be done. Kids aren't stupid. As to the issue of allergies, service animals are kept well-groomed, and it's a fact that dog allergens are heavier and less persistent than cat allergens. More people are allergic to cats than dogs. As for children who are fearful, keeping the child as far away from the dog may help, as well as explaining that the dog has to be there. Most fears have an irrational origin, like the thought of big dog=biter. If you work with a fearful child, they usually get over it.

My former pastor did tend to be a very enthusiastic person regardless of subject, but especially home schooling. So take what he said as a general statement.

[EeyoresButterfly]

You are right- kindergartners are smarter than many give them credit for! Fall semester I was in a kindergarten room twice a week. In this school we have several special needs kindergartners, and the kids are all wonderful with them! There is a little girl who is nonverbal and in a WC, and the kids take terms pushing her around in gym during laps. We have a couple of others who have DS, one of whom uses sign language and has some accompanying behavior issues, and again, the kids are wonderful with them. They are all so patient and loving. I have no doubt the kids in our school could handle a service dog. Even kids who are scared will eventually get used to it. Service dogs are not like pets. They are trained to be invisible. With ASDA dogs it is a little different since part of their purpose is socialization (the kids are encouraged to pet the dog, since the dog is tethered to hte child this helps with the child's socialization) but the dog is very calm and soothing.

[hobie16]

If you thought rejecting a service dog was bad, you'll really be mad after reading this.

Mom says special needs child "voted" out of classroom

http://www.wptv.com/news/local/story.as ... 777910ab79

[DisneyMom]

Hobie, this is yet another very sad incident of how those with special needs are discriminated against every day :mad:

I will refrain from going into details about some of the things my son and we have had to endure, but I could write a book.

Instructors have a lot of power, and unfortunately we hear things every day about the ones who mess up in the media. A lot of school districts will cover up for them until either law enforcement or the media becomes involved. This is why I am so grateful for the good ones!

I agree with EB- Most service dogs are very calm and I think the kids would get used to the dog and the rules fairly soon- another good life lesson, how/when to approach animals!

[Syndrome]

If you thought rejecting a service dog was bad, you'll really be mad after reading this.

Mom says special needs child "voted" out of classroom

http://www.wptv.com/news/local/story.as ... 777910ab79

Jeez, did that idiot teacher get her degree out of a Cracker Jacks box? Even playing devil's advocate and assuming that the kid was a little hellion, there are appropriate ways of handling it and shaming/ridiculing him in front of the class is NOT one of them.

[PapaMouse]

First of all, I'm pretty sure this is illegal. You cannot question a person about their disability.

This is legal and becoming a more common practice in places. I myself had to "prove" of my back injury that prevents me from lifting over 30lbs to a judge after being put on community service for a traffic ticket. To make matters worse, they would not accept the official United States Air Force medical forms stating my injury since they were dated 1999. everyone knows that a back injury NEVER goes away. So I had to go to the VFW hospital and get a new check up and new forms saying the injury still existed and nothing had changed. So then the judge let me serve my community service by sitting in the court office for 8 hrs a day for a week, not allowed to do anything, just sit there. Nice vacation :)

Anyway, my point is that now in day, people and companies have to cover there butts and get proof of a disability. There is nothing wrong or illegal about simply asking for proof. Too many people in the world faking to get special treatment. If the school gets their proof and then does not allow the dog, then that's wrong.

[EeyoresButterfly]

According to the ADA in their publications on service dogs and businesses: A service dog is to be allowed access into any place that serves the public, this includes private businesses. Business owners cannot question a person about their disability. In your situation, since it was a government agency, perhaps things were different.

Hobie: I played that video you linked to for my Management of Instruction class this morning. Everybody was appalled!

[hobie16]

Hobie: I played that video you linked to for my Management of Instruction class this morning. Everybody was appalled!

While this situation has to be an aberration, it's good to make people aware that it did happen so it won't be repeated.