A South Australian public high school has actually lastly permitted a student’s help dog on school after the family says they invested a year attempting to look for approval.
Logan Reese, 12, took his help dog, Hunter, to main school with him for 3 years for assistance with his epilepsy, autism and spastic paralysis.
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However, in February 2002 – a year prior to Logan was because of start at Murray Bridge High School – mum Murianna Reese said she encouraged the school her boy would still require Hunter with him when he transitioned from main school, however was informed the dog was not permitted.
She said staff were worried other kids might have allergic reactions or might be uneasy with a dog on school premises.
“Hunter is really important to Logan – he’s his companion, his support,” Murianna informed Sunrise on Wednesday.
“He’s trained to alert people to Logan’s seizures.”
Murianna said she continued to get in touch with the school throughout in 2015, looking for consent, however was not offered approval for Hunter to participate in school with Logan this year.
She then emailed a grievance to the principal, together with the state premier and education minister.
Logan went to the very first 2 weeks of high school this year without Hunter, who assists him feel great in social settings and lowers his stress and anxiety about seizures, Murianna said.
“Logan (has) cried and begged not to go to school because of the fact Hunter couldn’t be there,” she said.
On the day the family talked to Sunrise, they likewise went to a pre-arranged conference with the school principal and education department – after which they had some good news.
The South Australian Department for Education revealed that, while it had actually already offered an assistance officer for Logan at school, it would likewise now accommodate his requirement for a support dog.
A department representative noted it was a “complex” circumstance and the school needed to think about the requirements of other trainees, consisting of if they had allergic reactions.
“Murray Bridge High School has been working closely with the family towards a positive resolution for Logan and the rest of his classmates,” the representative said.
“The department will also provide a dog handler to look after his dog while it is on-site supporting Logan. The recruitment for this role has already begun.”
Hunter the dog is set to begin orientation at the school quickly. Dog training will likewise be offered to school staff, the representative said.
Murianna said she seemed like her advocacy for Logan and Hunter had actually settled.
“Anyone with a disability has just the same amount of human rights as everyone else,” she said.
– With Sowaibah Hanifie
