Posted on 07/07/2004 7:41:10 AM PDT by NativeNewYorker
FREDERICTON, New Brunswick, July 7 (UPI) -- Because a blind man's guide dog cannot understand English commands, a New Brunswick university has barred a French Canadian man from taking English classes.
Yvon Tessier of Ottawa enrolled in an intensive five-week English immersion program at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton but was shocked when he learned his dog, Pavot couldn't attend with him. Pavot is a black Labrador retriever who has guided Tessier for two years.
He responds to French commands, and doesn't understand any other language, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said Wednesday. University Student Recruitment Director Susan Mesheau said school policy is that service dogs become bilingual along with their owners.
Tessier says it would take eight months for his dog to learn English and he wants the university to let him take the course and continue to speak French to his dog and English to everyone else.
Meanwhile, he said he also is considering filing a complaint with the province's Human Rights Commission.
"Director Susan Mesheau said school policy is that service dogs become bilingual along with their owners."
WHAT???!!!??
(or something like that!)
Hi there... on a different thread last week, we started a doggie thread ping list. I couldn't remember how to spell your screen name. You wanna be on it?
She's French as well. Maybe she could act as the dog's translator.
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