Schools Fight Families Over Autism Service Dogs

[Bottesini]

Villa Grove, Ill. - Nichelle Drew says getting her autistic son Kaleb ready for school used to be a nightmare.

"It used to take me thirty minutes or more, of chasing him, and him screaming, and not wanting to get dressed, and not wanting to go," said Mrs. Drew.

Seven-year-old Kaleb has autism. He had tantrums and sleep problems at home, and would sometimes wander away from school.

Last year, the family purchased "Chewey," a specially trained Labrador retriever who experts said would help with his disability. The cost? About thirteen thousand dollars. Kaleb's mom says his behavior quickly improved.

"If Kaleb has a really bad spell, if he gets really upset and throws himself on the floor, he knows how to calm him," she said. "He lays on him, gives him deep pressure, and it instantly calms him."

But as Fox Chicago News reported last year, local school leaders claimed the dog was merely a "comfort animal," not a "service dog," and could not accompany Kaleb to school.

The case ended up in the courts. Now, an Illinois appellate court has decided that Chewey can accompany Kaleb to school because "Chewey is a service animal individually trained to perform tasks" for the boy's benefit.

"As long as the dog is showing benefit and doing a job, to help that child," she said, "then that dog can go anywhere that child goes."

Margie Wakelin is an attorney with Equip for Equality who represented the Drew family.

She believes this is the highest court ever to decide that autistic children should be allowed to use service animals in schools.

"So not just students who are blind, or students who are hearing impaired, but all students with a disability who benefit from a service animal are entitled to have that service animal with them in their school." Wakelin said.

The school district argued that Chewey's presence would be disruptive, cause problems for allergic children, and require additional staffing. Over the last year, however, while waiting for the court decision, Chewey has been going to the school, and Mrs. Drew says there have been no major problems.

"The children have accepted the system that he is a working dog and that he's not to be touched and not to be played with, better than adults do," she said, "so he's just part of the classroom, and they accept him as that now."

The school district, through it's attorney Brandon Wright, declined to discuss the recent ruling."

*Dog Helps Autistic Boy in School

Good, that was an important ruling in Illinois.

 

[FireTiger]

Thanks for the link. Our prison system is currently running a program whereby prisoners that were found suitable for the work are given a dog to train for service. The dog lives with them and is trained according to specific guidelines for service dogs. When the dogs have finished training, they are placed with a person in need for free, and the inmate gets another dog, and the process is repeated. They are having a lot of success. The MS student I referred to (mobility issues when walking) had a dog trained in this program, and I was very impressed with the animal's behavior. I could really detect no difference in the dog's responses than in the dogs that were trained by agencies. Of course, the inmates had to undergo training regarding the methods of training the dogs, etc. before they were allowed to undertake training an animal.

Here is that group:
Puppies Behind Bars: Puppies Behind Bars trains inmates to raise puppies to become service dogs for the disabled and explosive detection canines for law enforcement.

Once the pups reach eighteen months of age, they are tested to determine their suitability for formal training by PBB. When a puppy is matched with a disabled individual, final training continues specific to the client’s needs. Currently, over forty service dogs are being raised in three of our six prisons.

If you want to know what they are doing, they are doing the same part of the training I was basic obedience and socialization. I too had training, three home visits, check ups and there were mandatory meetings and extra meetings, during puppy hood it was twice a week for about an hour...

finial training of all good schools is by professional trainers.

at the Southeastern Guide Dog look for the "Puppy Raiser" tag.

But as interesting as this is it's irreverent...

Back to the dog in question- sounds like they paid for what in the US is free ... that is a realistic cost for a fully trained service dog...

 

[sallylou]

If formal certification isn't possible, any qualified trainer can help wirh the AKA good canine citizen test. Even though no certification is required under the ADA, having this certification would satisfy anyone who questions whether the dog is trained. Dogs who provide therapy part time in hospitals and assisted living have this. The therapy dog was a life saver for me when my youngest was in the hospital for pneumonia.

 

[jillio]

Here is that group:
Puppies Behind Bars: Puppies Behind Bars trains inmates to raise puppies to become service dogs for the disabled and explosive detection canines for law enforcement.



If you want to know what they are doing, they are doing the same part of the training I was basic obedience and socialization. I too had training, three home visits, check ups and there were mandatory meetings and extra meetings, during puppy hood it was twice a week for about an hour...

finial training of all good schools is by professional trainers.

at the Southeastern Guide Dog look for the "Puppy Raiser" tag.

But as interesting as this is it's irreverent...

Back to the dog in question- sounds like they paid for what in the US is free ... that is a realistic cost for a fully trained service dog...

I brought it in to address the issue that was brought up regarding unavailabilty of service dogs.

 

[CSign]

What easy reference?
The dog you are referring to in this case has not been deemed a service animal by the courts.

I know you hate to deal with the petty details, but they do matter, whether you ignore them or not.

Likewise, you can't cite ADA findings regarding this case, because it is Canada.

I was quite clear that I was talking about the original post- not about the article with the child from Canada. It would perhaps be beneficial for you to read this thread from the beginning, as I did.

 

[FireTiger]

If formal certification isn't possible, any qualified trainer can help wirh the AKA good canine citizen test. Even though no certification is required under the ADA, having this certification would satisfy anyone who questions whether the dog is trained. Dogs who provide therapy part time in hospitals and assisted living have this. The therapy dog was a life saver for me when my youngest was in the hospital for pneumonia.

That is unfortunate, because 'that good citizen canine' can come in but mine cant, why is that officer - my dog is just as good as that dog- no trouble at all ??!?!

This is part of the reason certs are NOT required... although I agree it should be easy to implement and take care of most of the abusers of this system.

You go in to renew your handi-placard and at the same time get your dog retested...

Photo ID of the dog in harness/coat with handler/partner and two of the things listed that the dog mitigates and the stamp of the ADA... *sigh*

too bad.

 

[jillio]

If formal certification isn't possible, any qualified trainer can help wirh the AKA good canine citizen test. Even though no certification is required under the ADA, having this certification would satisfy anyone who questions whether the dog is trained. Dogs who provide therapy part time in hospitals and assisted living have this. The therapy dog was a life saver for me when my youngest was in the hospital for pneumonia.

Right. Those in clinical settings do have certification.

I include companion animals in my treatment plans for several clients. I assist clients in bypassing landlord restrictions on forbidding pets as indicating that this is, in my expert opinion, a therapuetic necessity. Does that suffice for the medical necessity of having these dogs in a home where they would otherwise be forbidden? Yep. Would it suffice in a public situation? Nope.

 

[FireTiger]

I brought it in to address the issue that was brought up regarding unavailabilty of service dogs.

There are still not enough, the bottleneck is at the certified professional trainer and the final evaluations of the dogs (medial and temperament).

Neither myself nor the prisoners do that part of the training, it could cost a handler their life if done wrong.

The good schools will not place a dog with hip dyspepsia or cataracts etc with a partner who needs help in some way.

Some of those dogs 'fail out' entirely, some become therapy dogs (not protected with public access rights), some get career changes and become arson dogs, bomb dogs, search and rescue...depending on the dog's personality, temperament and medical issues... etc etc.

There is a huge demand for these highly trained animals...

 

[jillio]

There are still not enough, the bottleneck is at the certified professional trainer and the final evaluations of the dogs (medial and temperament).

Neither myself nor the prisoners do that part of the training, it could cost a handler their life if done wrong.

The good schools will not place a dog with hip dyspepsia or cataracts etc with a partner who needs help in some way.

Some of those dogs 'fail out' entirely, some become therapy dogs (not protected with public access rights), some get career changes and become arson dogs, bomb dogs, search and rescue...depending on the dog's personality, temperament and medical issues... etc etc.

There is a huge demand for these highly trained animals...

Then placement needs to go to those with the greatest need.

 

[FireTiger]

Then placement needs to go to those with the greatest need.

Who decides???

It's first come first match- first placement.

If a guide/wheel-chair pull dog (guide-mobility dog) if fully trained and ready to go the first person that matches this dog on the list get it.

If a guide dog (guide only) is trained the next person that matches gets it.

If a pull dog (mobility only) comes through next mobility only person get it.

Not everyone wants the headache and heartache of the dogs- you should outlive several of them... and that's heartbreaking, sometimes you will get picked on due to ignorance of the law and that's a headache.

 

[sallylou]

Firetiger, the idea is to work with the trainer so that your dog can pass the test. Some people can train their dog and the dog can pass the test. Sometumes, the dog needs more professional training before the dog can pass the test. If your dog is going to go out in public the dog needs to be trained. It's not fair to the dog to put the dog in stressful situation which creates anxiety and gets the dog in trouble. Some dogs are nit suited to being a working dog, in which case, the dog should be a pet.

 

[FireTiger]

Firetiger, the idea is to work with the trainer so that your dog can pass the test. Some people can train their dog and the dog can pass the test. Sometumes, the dog needs more professional training before the dog can pass the test. If your dog is going to go out in public the dog needs to be trained. It's not fair to the dog to put the dog in stressful situation which creates anxiety and gets the dog in trouble. Some dogs are nit suited to being a working dog, in which case, the dog should be a pet.

Hum? Why me?

My Greyhound would pass 90% of the good citizen canine right now- but she -can not- sit (one of the old requirements) she has mobility issues and previous (rescued racer) and abuse issues and she is simply unsuitable for service work.

I would get on the list for southeastern Guide dogs and ask for the first healthy 'fail out' and work form there... I do not need service now but might in the future... of course if they lower the meaning of 'normal blood glucose' I'll be normal soon enough...

Last thing I need is a lame dog leading a lame me and signaling my BGL is dropping....

 

[sallylou]

Your dog is better trained than mine. lol My dogs are just pampered pets.

Can you get on a waiting list now? It sounds like you'll need one in the near future.

I have a friend who is deaf and has diabetes. She has a jack russell. I'll ask her how she got her dog. He's a great dog and a convenient size, too.

 

[deafskeptic]

Your dog is better trained than mine. lol My dogs are just pampered pets.

Can you get on a waiting list now? It sounds like you'll need one in the near future.

I have a friend who is deaf and has diabetes. She has a jack russell. I'll ask her how she got her dog. He's a great dog and a convenient size, too.

My mother says our beagle that we owned years ago trained my little sister how to fetch. It was supposed to be the other way around.

 

[FireTiger]

Your dog is better trained than mine. lol My dogs are just pampered pets.

Can you get on a waiting list now? It sounds like you'll need one in the near future.

I have a friend who is deaf and has diabetes. She has a jack russell. I'll ask her how she got her dog. He's a great dog and a convenient size, too.

Unless I get a 'progressive' prognosis I do not qualify, for now someone else needs that dog.

I'd need a larger dog for the mobility.

I might get boosted (on the list) for volunteering 2 years of my life to one of their puppies though.

I learned how to train in the Puppy raiser program, no food rewards (except 'come' for the first two or three months- none after that), one command- then make the puppy do the command.

The greyhound came with no hand signals, no food refusal, but came knowing standing stay with a hand on her back, yield at doorways, and heal anytime on a leash. She is clam- or comatose sleeping 18-20ish hours... great dog- unsuitable for working- (too large also claustrophobic and Enochlophobia... she has the "fixated avoidance" response.

We are working with her on it... we tend to go over to Fernandina Beach's town and walk her there, just enough people. I also take her to pet friendly stores (in and out of the car is good for her) in the middle of the day when they are not busy.


http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm

Sitting - nope she physically cant... can I get an ADA ruling for her? Stand-stay should be good enough...
crowds- not yet... maybe in a year. If the tester has humor she might pass this anyway- she is 'very polite' but I can tell how nervous she is.

 

[Lily7]

I rarely ever made my service dog sit. She could sit, but sitting is actually uncomfortable for most dogs. Paws With a Cause instructed most of us partners to always have the dog lie down whenever possible, or stand when not.

 

[FireTiger]

I rarely ever made my service dog sit. She could sit, but sitting is actually uncomfortable for most dogs. Paws With a Cause instructed most of us partners to always have the dog lie down whenever possible, or stand when not.

True and guides are not required to sit for much of anything, allowed to lie down if the handler stopped for more then 3 minutes... but CGC requires 'sit for pets'... she's a greyhound... really?!?!

 

[jillio]

I rarely ever made my service dog sit. She could sit, but sitting is actually uncomfortable for most dogs. Paws With a Cause instructed most of us partners to always have the dog lie down whenever possible, or stand when not.

And in working with students who used service dogs, this is the way their dogs were managed, as well. They stood if it was a short term stop, if it was a lengthy stop, such as a class, the dog would lay down. And would respond to movement from the owner, but if I moved, the dog would not even take notice.

 

[dogmom]

when I worked with a very local service dog org. here, one of the other volunteers was a Puppy Raiser for Paws With a Cause.

from a behavioral perspective, a dog laying down helps with several things - one, laying down is a calming signal and often a visual cue to other dogs - the laying down dog is trying to deflect attention from herself, show deference or calm friendliness, all of which provide visual info. in dog language.

laying down provides a greater degree of control; my Rottie girls' default "at rest" or "ready and waiting for a cue" behaviors are to lay down. I have more time to prevent something that way or to react to something I see starting because the dog actually has more actions to go through to get on her feet with forward intention.

 

[Lily7]

when I worked with a very local service dog org. here, one of the other volunteers was a Puppy Raiser for Paws With a Cause.

from a behavioral perspective, a dog laying down helps with several things - one, laying down is a calming signal and often a visual cue to other dogs - the laying down dog is trying to deflect attention from herself, show deference or calm friendliness, all of which provide visual info. in dog language.

laying down provides a greater degree of control; my Rottie girls' default "at rest" or "ready and waiting for a cue" behaviors are to lay down. I have more time to prevent something that way or to react to something I see starting because the dog actually has more actions to go through to get on her feet with forward intention.

That too. Not to mention, other people are much more likely to ignore the dog than if he/she is sitting. I noticed that psychologically, seeing her sit seemed to say to people "pet me! I'm not working!" even with her cape on, whereas, for some reason, her lying down with her cape on seemed to signal a more official "I'm busy, leave me alone" - even if it was probably more of a "The dog is resting, let it rest" mindset than "the dog is working" mindset.

Additionally, you'd be surprised how many things can hit a dog in the head at the "sitting" height. Purses, shopping bags, kids swinging toys, etc. Having them lie down seems to get their heads out of "bonk range"