Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Autism helper dog allowed in class, judge rules | New Orleans Pets and Animals - - NOLA.com


Autism helper dog allowed in class, judge rules New Orleans Pets and Animals - - NOLA.com:

"A judge has ruled that a first-grader in central Illinois gets to keep his autism helper dog in school.

Associated Press archiveKaleb Drew, 6, and his autism service dog, Chewey, wait to be taken out of the car after Kaleb's first day of school in Villa Grove, Ill. Judge Chris Freese sided Tuesday with the family of Kaleb Drew.

They argued that the boy's yellow Labrador retriever is a service animal allowed in schools under Illinois law, and helps keep him safe and calm in class.
The Villa Grove school district had argued the dog isn't a true service animal.

The case and a separate lawsuit involving an autistic boy in southwestern Illinois are the first challenges to a state law allowing service animals in schools."