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November 11, 2009

Judge's ruling allows autism helper dog in class

AP:

A first-grader in central Illinois gets to keep his autism helper dog in school, a Douglas County judge ruled Tuesday.

Judge Chris Freese sided with the family of Kaleb Drew, who argued that the boy's yellow Labrador retriever is a service animal allowed in schools under Illinois law. They say the dog is similar to a seeing-eye dog for the blind and is trained to help Kaleb deal with his disabilities, keeping him safe and calm in class.

The Villa Grove school district had opposed the dog's presence and argued that it isn't a true service animal.

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

Authorities in both school districts have said that the needs of the autistic boys must be balanced against other children who have allergies or fear the animals.

Kaleb Drew's dog, Chewey, has accompanied him to school since August under court order, pending the judge's final ruling Tuesday on the family's lawsuit against the school district.

Similar lawsuits have been filed on behalf of autistic children in other states, including California and Pennsylvania.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at November 11, 2009 1:01 AM
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