Can anyone get a service dog? Must schools allow them? Readers had lots of thoughts on the topic.
CHERRY HILL -- A student's fight with the Cherry Hill School District over its service dog policies and his efforts to pass a new law on service dog access have gotten NJ.com readers talking.
Ben Shore, 16, a student at Cherry Hill High School East, has a service dog named Charlie. He trained the family's goldendoodle himself -- as is allowed under federal law -- to sense his oncoming panic attacks and lie on him or lick his face to calm and distract him.
But when he wanted to bring the dog to school, he realized that the district's policy had provisions that contradicted state and federal laws. He challenged the superintendent and the Board of Education on it, and they've since drafted a new policy that is more in line with the law.
The South Jersey Times editorial board criticized the district's policy and applauded Shore for standing up for his rights.
Can anyone make their pet a service dog?
Shore also worked with local legislators to get a bill into the legislature that would impose fines on those who deny access to people with disabilities who have service dogs.
Many of the hundreds of comments on the stories talked about what qualifies as a service dog, who can get one and how some abuse the fact that there is no official registry or certification. A story Tuesday on what is and isn't a service dog seeks to answer those questions.
Here's what some NJ.com commenters had to say.
Bob: There needs to be a clear certification process that encompasses both the medical need of the person and the proper training of the animal for the specific purpose of servicing that medical need. Only then will we eliminate the phonies and earn the necessary respect of others....
Shamus44: I am surprised the school district is taking this stand. It is a losing position. We dealt with this when I was Superintendent in Chatham probably 10 years ago. The law is clear that the accommodation goes to the student with the more severe disability (e.g. blind vs allergic). There are much bigger educational issues to deal with. Cherry Hill, which is a good district, should provide the accommodation while they revise the policy.
Alnitak: It all comes down to those who take advantage of the law's loopholes and ruin it for others.
Yes, you can definitely tell a real service dog from one who is not. But our ability to question the person is limited. People take advantage of laws made for those with real disabilities.
TheStupidFix: ...If you know a doctor and suffer from anxiety, or tell the doctor that you suffer from anxiety. Poof your Cat, Dog or pet rock can become an "emotional support" animal.
Icantwithu: The school will lose this. Service animal policy is very clear. Personally I believe they are helpful but when I went to the mall this weekend, I saw no less than 15 dogs walking around. 1 had a service animal vest on. I think people are just carrying around their schitzus (sic) and chihuahuas as more of a companion animal and no one asks cuz they are afraid of a lawsuit.
PaleRider returns: I'm all for providing an individual the necessary advantages to overcome disabilities whether they are affecting a daily routine or their education however,
If the dog is a distraction to the school environment then what?
If another child has allergies then what, that child has to be removed?
Just because federal law dictates something doesn't make it right in every situation.
Life is not a "put the round peg in the round hole set of circumstances".
The sooner we stop trying to legislate that mentality the better!
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.