News

School rules on dog days

FEB 9, 2007

By Claire Killeen

A Parmelia mother says she may be forced to take her child out of a local public school if a ruling stands which will not allow the child an assistance dog to accompany her.

The mother, who does not wish to be named for fear of adverse repercussions, told the Weekend Courier that Calista Primary School has ruled against the child having a hypo-dog at the school.

Her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes three years ago and, unlike some people with the illness, is unable to recognise when his blood sugar falls dangerously low.

A hypo-dog would be able to detect when the blood sugar levels were dropping and warn the child in advance.

The dog will be an eight-week-old pup when it arrives from interstate this month and must stay with the child 24 hours a day to develop a bond.

It is the bond and the recognition of its owner's scent that is crucial to the dog's ability to alert its owner when the blood sugar levels drop.

Calista Primary School principal Glenn Edwards said the school had carefully managed the child's diabetes in the past and he took into consideration the school community when making his decision.

Mr Edwards said he remained open to continued arbitration if the mother wished to take the issue to the district director.

However, the mother said she had tried to contact the director on three separate occasions and was yet to receive a call back.

"There were a lot of things that I took into consideration when I made the decision about the child," Mr Edwards said.

"The main thing I considered was if the child could receive adequate access to an education without the dog being at the school.... and absolutely yes, the child could."

Paws for Diabetics founder Lorraine Roulston, who will supply the dog to the family, said the dog could give the child a new-found quality of life.

Source: The Weekend Courier