Teachers don't help. Obviously the dog does. You have never been around a child with a service dog, have you? That's what I thought.
Kaleb has had MIRACULOUS progress since Chewey came along - More progress than he has had in YEARS of "teacher facilitators".
Also, gentle leaders are AMAZING tools and do not hurt the dog. & no, it is not for untrained dogs, either. Ask the family themselves, if you want to know why Chewey has the head harness, don't make stupid & false assumptions as well as pick on an innocent, sweet little boy! Chewey is an amazing service dog and Kaleb is a great little boy (: Chewey is always checking on Kaleb to make sure he is okay,
I puppy-raise for this agency and they are amazing people who care for the dogs as though they were their own children.
Linda, get that stick out of your butt and INFORM YOURSELF! Thanks.
puppy-raiserof OR7:06PM April 29, 2010
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Allisonof WA10:07AM December 15, 2009
I am so happy that you had a victory in court! I am a friend of the grandmother and had prayed for peace for your family that day. The dog needs to be with Caleb. The teachers are overwhelmed as it is and can't be expected to do more than they are. A dog is so calming, and keeps this child safe, what more could you ask!
Cathyof IL6:35PM November 29, 2009
Just want to say congrats!!!! I'm so happy the ruling was in your favor. My family has Casper. Cheweys brother and it's been wonderful. Good luck and keep up the good work!!
Kristenof OR2:14PM November 28, 2009
BTW< Head harness are ABUSIVE and CRUEL. They force the dog to constantly be in a submissive position, they interfere with the dog's field of vision, can cause neck injuries.
A well trained service dog should need nothing more than a martingale collar or a buckle collar when placed.
BTW, I train service dogs professionally----for profit, place about 5 dogs per year. All my dogs, including the dogs I place with children, are worked in buckle collars. If they need anything more than that, then they aren't well enough trained, or they shouldn't be working as a service dog.
JUst out of curiousity, what happened to the Bouvier this child had originally?
Richard LaFarveof FL9:22AM November 28, 2009
You've never been around a child with autism, or actually seen the impact a service dog can have on such a child, have you?
Teach of kids with autismof KS5:52PM November 27, 2009
A 'head harness' as mentioned, also known as Gentle Leader or Halti, is a very effective collar alternative. I have raised 4 puppies for 2 different service dog organizations (both certified and reputable) and these collars are certainly not for UNTRAINED dogs. They are NOT painful to the dog, unlike chain and prong training collars can be, but create an effective gentle pressure on their head. There is plenty of good information on the web, IF one would like to learn about these. Additionally, I urge anyone within driving distance of a Canine Companions for Independence campus to attend one of their graduation ceremonies or take a tour (www.cci.org). You will experience firsthand the difference these dogs make and, possibly, begin to understand what is so terribly (and obviously) misunderstood about children and service dogs. And, maybe you'll actually learn something!
Lee Nof FL7:08AM November 26, 2009
Thats what teachers are for, to facilitate him with humans, the dog is a crutch. plus why is it wearing a head harness leash, that is for untrained dogs? I dont think the training agency is reputable
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puppy-raiser of OR 7:06PM April 29, 2010
Allison of WA 10:07AM December 15, 2009
Cathy of IL 6:35PM November 29, 2009
Kristen of OR 2:14PM November 28, 2009
Richard LaFarve of FL 9:22AM November 28, 2009
Teach of kids with autism of KS 5:52PM November 27, 2009
Lee N of FL 7:08AM November 26, 2009
Linda L. of MI 3:15AM November 26, 2009
John and Di Covell of CO 10:38AM November 25, 2009