Poodle Service Dog not allowed to accompany disabled student

Fifteen year old Cooper James has been stricken by the degenerative disease, spinal muscular dystrophy, which makes normal physical activity difficult to impossible.

Kodak, his standard Poodle service dog, has made a big difference in his life by picking up dropped items, opening doors, and helping the boy to stand.

"My dog makes my life just a little bit easier," Cooper said. "I see an easier future."

But the Calgary Board of Education doesn’t seem to realize the value of the dog in helping Cooper deal with his physical disabilities. Cooper will miss the first day of school because they are not allowing his service Poodle into the classroom.

His mother, Eyvis James, is planning to take a letter to school officials from the Lions Foundations of Canada Dog Guides, where they got Kodak who has been trained as a Service dog. She also plans to file a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

Connie Pratt fought a battle years ago for her own son to have a service dog with him. "It just makes me angry someone who sits behind a desk and pushes paper all day doesn't understand how important a dog is to a disabled person," Pratt said.

The story from Alberta

Read the letter from Kodak's foster parent.

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 7. The Calgary Board of Education reversed its position and will allow Kodak to accompany Cooper to his classroom. They had stated that the children should be protected from a dog and possible allergies.

Cooper's mother, Ayvis James argued allergic reactions shouldn't be an issue because Kodak is a standard poodle and does not shed. Plus, the dog was hand-picked for its non-aggressive behavior.

Comments

[Rita]

That poor boy. Why can't they show a little understanding with all he has to go through the rest of his life.

[Ed]

not like the dog is going to throw spitwads at the teacher or something, he'll probably be the best behaved in the room,

[kyahgirl]

isn't that awful? I think the school is being totally unreasonable. its shameful.

[Therese]

This is just flat out wrong!

[Nickie]

I absolutely hate it when this happens to students. Not every dog or student can handle the extra responsibility of being in school with a service dog, but most programs that train the dogs are aware of this and screen applicants accordingly. It's so sad that more administrators aren't aware of how these dogs help those of us with disabilities or how well trained and behaved they are. Sure, there are challenges, and Julio did make some mistakes, but I think it can be a very positive exxperience.

[Empress Baggie]

Some things never cease to amaze me. This is one of those things. Just when you think people can't do something stupider, they go and do something like this. Unbelieveable!!!

[Candace]

What are they THINKING!?

[Jill]

That's just wrong! Hope they can straighten things out.

[Laura]

Good. I'm glad they changed their rules for this dog.

[Alicia]

When will these damn bureaucrats learn to find out what the law of the land is?

[rox wisely]

Many students hate school. How much more hatred would a student feel if he is given difficulties and deprived of comfort while in school? I hope there would be constant and standard laws regarding these kinds of issues.

[Lauren]

There's a special place in hell for the person who denies access to a child with muscular dystrophy and his service dog. How dare they.