Schools Bars Deaf Boy's Helper Dog From Class

WNBC Television ^ | January 4, 2007

[Puppage]

WESTBURY, N.Y. -- A Westbury mom said she will try again today to have her deaf son bring a "helper" dog to school.

Nancy Cave said she was stopped Wednesday by school officials and police when she showed up with her 14-year-old son and his dog named Simba at West Tresper Clarke High School in Westbury.

Cave said she told the East Meadow School District Board about the dog, which they picked up last week from a Massachusetts training center.

School officials said the ninth grader doesn't need the dog to attend classes. The Caves believe John and Simba must bond around the clock so that the dog can work most effectively as an assistance dog.

East Meadow Superintendent Robert Dillon said the Caves should obtain permission from the district's committee on special education before bringing the dog to school.

State and federal laws permit assistance dogs in public facilities.

[Puppage]

Why would a deaf person need an assistance dog in school? I can see where they may need them if the were walking to school, etc, but in the classroom?

[craig_eddy]

Why would a deaf person need an assistance dog in school?

From the article:

The Caves believe John and Simba must bond around the clock so that the dog can work most effectively as an assistance dog.

Additional commentary:

East Meadow Superintendent Robert Dillon said the Caves should obtain permission from the district's committee on special education before bringing the dog to school..

And people wonder how we can spend so much money per student when teachers are seemingly paid so little. We're attempting to get speech therapy for our 5-year old and it's amazing how many "committees" we have to go through just to rubber-stamp the obvious.

[grjr21]

I can see where they may need them if the were walking to school,


I hear ya

[Wonder Warthog]

"Why would a deaf person need an assistance dog in school? I can see where they may need them if the were walking to school, etc, but in the classroom?"

Re-read the article. The need is for the dog to fully bond to the kid so it can work more effectively all the time. I think the parents are right. It sounds like they just didn't jump through all the necessary bureaucratic hoops, though:

East Meadow Superintendent Robert Dillon said the Caves should obtain permission from the district's committee on special education before bringing the dog to school.

"State and federal laws permit assistance dogs in public facilities."

Given these laws, the school and school board are certain to lose.

[Puppage]

The Caves believe John and Simba must bond around the clock so that the dog can work most effectively as an assistance dog.

Define: assistance

[AZRepublican]

Never heard of a hearing ear dog before. They should consider that operation Rush had to restore his hearing (or is his hearing restored?). Not sure how much it costs, though.

[Puppage]

The need is for the dog to fully bond to the kid so it can work more effectively all the time

What does THAT mean...fully bond? I could have worked more effectively if they sat me next to Lea Santello (5th grade crush) but alas it wasn't to be. So, I ask again...WHAT does the dog provide.

[Global2010]

Amen.

Not everyone understands all the aspects of "trained" canine companions.

Good luck on getting your kid the speech therapy needed.

My adult quad son has been out of Public school IEP's ect for a few yrs now (graduated) and I feel so much for parents that have to go through all the BS we did all those years and it is way harder now to get an IEP implemented.

Prayers for your needs.

[Past Your Eyes]

Let the kid have his dog, for crying out loud.

[Puppage]

Why isn't this school campus wall to wall dogs?

http://www.gallaudet.edu/

[Global2010]

Hey if he was a Muslim he not only would keep his canine companion at school he would have a private carpeted prayer room. /sarc

Sorry I read the private room the Muslims want at airports (at the airports expense) where no others ie...Christians can use to also prayer or have quiet time.

Reading that article set me on an anti tolerant of Muslim Prayer mode this A.M.

[Long Island Pete]

Dogs for the deaf are trained to respond to a variety of household sounds, including: the doorbell/knock, smoke alarm, alarm clock, telephone, name call, and oven timer.

Now if this young boy thought he was a trans-gender and wanted to use the girls bathroom he would be allowed.

[Puppage]

Let the kid have his dog, for crying out loud.

Perhaps, if it was explained just what the dog provides (specifics) we might be able to come to an agreement.

[Hatteras]

"The need is for the dog to fully bond to the kid so it can work more effectively all the time."

WHAT?!.... (sorry...) I have a lab that I can't take to work but outside of work she's my shadow. There is plenty of time to bond outside of school. The dog will see to it.

[Thrownatbirth]

Lea Santello

Jennifer LaMond (sigh)

[Puppage]

Dogs for the deaf are trained to respond to a variety of household sounds, including: the doorbell/knock, smoke alarm, alarm clock, telephone, name call, and oven timer.

And, all of that training is used in school where?

[Puppage]

Jennifer LaMond (sigh)

LOL!!! I hear ya

[oh8eleven]

So, I ask again...WHAT does the dog provide.
An excuse for the parents to show that both they and their son are "victims."

[Global2010]

Left to Right
Porter, Hunter and Yol (ya'll)

Now if my quad son's Labs were asked to leave a public place we would have to go, very very protective over KV.

Then I could understand but this kid had his canine pro trained and working with the dog 24/7 is a must. Canine Companion programs are not like having a pet they are pro working canines.

the current page
Address:http://community-2.webtv.net/HunterPorter/doc/


I can see a winning argument.
The dog acts as the boyz hearing just as a wheelchair acts as legs.

I have faith these folks will win and perhaps change some laws.

[Long Island Pete]

The boy and dog have to learn to bond. If he was blind would the school make him keep the dog at home so they cant get use to each other.

When the school bell rings ending recess and he is only with the dog the dog will signal the bell rang.

I am not a vet or ear doctor, but I am a thinker.