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A writer by passion and profession, I've been writing since I was old enough to know how, so establishing a weblog
seemed a natural progression. By adding a blog to my site, I can speak about my passions and life, share my writing, art
and photos, and comment on current events.
Friday, August 06, 2004
Suspend This, Not-So-Superintendent Hammond A ridiculous situation was reported in yesterday's Lexington Herald-Leader in which a second grader's service dog and the student, herself, have been suspended by the school's superintendent merely for the dog's presence in the classroom. Mikki, a 55-pound Weimaraner, is a service dog trained to assist 7-year-old Cheyenne, who suffers from seizures. Mikki completed 5 months of extensive training, cost the family $8,000 and provides support that Cheyenne's parents say a human service assistant cannot.
What makes it truly (or even more) ridiculous is that the family spent two months arranging it with the school in advance of the school year starting--answering questions, filing paperwork and drawing up a plan on how the dog would be handled in school--and the superintendent pulled them out of school just two-hours into the first day. The suspension occurred after the school's principal met with the second grade class to explain to the other children what a service dog does and why this dog would be sharing their classroom.
The superintendent's position is that the school district must check legal obligations and liabilities regarding the service animal before permitting either Cheyenne or Mikki to return to class. And this is something that couldn't be brought in two months of paperwork and planning?!
Suspend This, Not-So-Superintendent Hammond
