Local family fights to get son’s service dog in classroom
Posted Feb 28, 2017 06:10:51 AM.
Last Updated Feb 28, 2017 06:29:24 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A local family is headed into a Human Rights Tribunal hearing Tuesday in a bid to get a service dog into their son’s classroom.
The Fee family wants eight-year-old Kenner, a grade three student, to be able to bring his Autism service dog with him when he heads to school each day.
His father, Craig Fee says the Waterloo Region Catholic District School Board has denied the request.
He tells 570 NEWS the Superintendent of Learning – Special Education and the Director of Education claim that the school is a private space during the day because the front door is locked, therefore, his son’s right to bring his service dog into the classroom under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act is null and void.
Fee says they have been trying for three years to get the service dog in class with Kenner and says the school board even revised its service dog policy. He adds as a result, the dog sits home during the day.
At the school level, Fee tells us the principal and teachers have been amazing and supportive.
The family has also appealed to the Premier and Education Minister.
Fee says there are no service dogs with the Catholic board, but a dozen in the classrooms with the Waterloo Region District School Board.
