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service dog in school

19 10:27:18

Question
I have a 7 year old with down syndrome in public school system in Ohio.  We recently obtained a service dog trained in behavior disruption.  The school is only allowing acces 2 times a month for 30 minutes at the end of the school day.  Who do I go to for help to dispute their this ridiculous decision.

Answer
For service dogs in schools, you need to get the dog written into the IEP.  Also, check your state laws (google "OH state laws" and you should get the state legislature website).  Search for the law(s) regarding service or assistance dogs and see if your law is written so that schools (ie classrooms) are places of public accommodation.  If they are, then you need to contact your states attorney general and file a complaint against the school.  If your law doesn't specifically include classrooms (most don't), then your only process is to appeal the decision higher up in the school administration.