Service dog goes to school with Michigan girl with CP for 30-day trial

From the Jackson Citizen Patriot in Michigan:

Wonder the dog went to school April 12.

Napoleon Community Schools has agreed to let the service dog accompany a 6-year-old student with cerebral palsy for a 30-day trial period beginning April 12, an attorney for the girl's parents said.

The deal is a compromise between the girl's family, the school district and Jackson County Intermediate School District, which previously wouldn't allow the dog to attend classes with Ehlena Fry (pictured) at Ezra Eby Elementary School.

"I think it's a step in the right direction," said Stacy Fry, Ehlena's mother. "Hopefully positive stuff will come out of it, working toward getting Wonder in the school permanently."

Fry and husband Brent have said school officials are denying her daughters' rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

School officials have said the 11-member team that recommended a special education plan for the girl determined that she didn't need the dog to meet her needs because she already had a full-time aide funded by the Napoleon district.

"I'm excited to see that we're moving forward and looking forward to seeing how things go with Wonder," said Gayle Rosen, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union's Michigan chapter who represents the family. "I'm excited for Ehlena and for her to be able to have her service dog."

Representatives of the Napoleon district and ISD declined comment Friday.

Napoleon's attorney, Jeff Butler of Okemos, and Tommy Cameron, ISD spokesman, both said the issue is subject to a confidentiality agreement because it is still in mediation.

Stacy Fry said she will accompany her daughter to school as the handler of the dog, a goldendoodle — part golden retriever and part poodle.

She plans to ease Wonder into the classroom by having the dog there for half-days during the first week. She said she has no doubts the dog can adjust to the situation. "I walk him in when I pick up the kids and drop them off for school," she said.

Rosen said there is no specific criteria for the school to determine whether the dog can stay beyond 30 days.

"The parties have planned to get together before the 30-day period expires and make some type of evaluation," she said.

"I think ultimately it will be up to the district. We're hoping that if things go well, that if there's any problems, any issues that arise during the 30-day period that we'll be able to work with them ... so that things can continue."

Butler said he is disappointed that Rosen discussed the deal.

"We're not at liberty to comment because the parties are still in mediation, which is, by agreement and under federal law, confidential," he said. "We do have some concerns about the fact that it appears that the ACLU has breached that confidentiality agreement."

Rosen said she considers mediation to be finished, so the matter does not need to remain confidential.

School officials have said previously that service dogs can be a disruption, particularly to younger students such as Ehlena's classmates.

Stacy Fry has said having Wonder with Ehlena promotes independence from her aide and that leaving the dog at home damages their relationship.