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<div style="PADDING-LEFT: 20px; FLOAT: right; COLOR: rgb(153,153,153); FONT-SIZE: 11px" class=textsize>text size <A style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; OUTLINE-STYLE: none; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; COLOR: rgb(153,153,153); FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=normal href="http://www.npr.org/2011/05/14/136287114/new-rules-seek-to-educate-schools-on-service-dogs&sc=nl&cc=nh-20110514" target=_blank>A</A> <A style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; OUTLINE-STYLE: none; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; COLOR: rgb(153,153,153); FONT-SIZE: 14px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=big href="http://www.npr.org/2011/05/14/136287114/new-rules-seek-to-educate-schools-on-service-dogs&sc=nl&cc=nh-20110514" target=_blank>A</A> <A style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; OUTLINE-STYLE: none; PADDING-LEFT: 2px; PADDING-RIGHT: 2px; COLOR: rgb(153,153,153); FONT-SIZE: 16px; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=bigger href="http://www.npr.org/2011/05/14/136287114/new-rules-seek-to-educate-schools-on-service-dogs&sc=nl&cc=nh-20110514" target=_blank>A</A></div>
<SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic; COLOR: rgb(153,153,153); FONT-SIZE: 0.85em" class=date>May 14, 2011</SPAN></div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Many disabled people say that life without their service animals is unthinkable. And while public institutions are required to admit service animals without question, some public schools claim they cannot handle the disruption of a dog in a busy classroom.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Disabled students are hoping new federal guidelines will help them avoid legal battles over their animals.</div>
<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,0,0) 1px; POSITION: relative; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; MARGIN: 0px 20px 11px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; COLOR: rgb(102,102,102); CLEAR: left; FONT-SIZE: 11px; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-TOP: rgb(0,0,0) 8px" id=res136288742 class="bucketwrap photo300"><IMG style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 300px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; FLOAT: left; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; CURSOR: pointer; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class="img300 enlarge" title="Nathan Selove relies on his service dog, Sylvia, to help him deal with meltdowns and other issues related to Asperger's syndrome." alt="Nathan Selove relies on his service dog, Sylvia, to help him deal with meltdowns and other issues related to Asperger's syndrome." src="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/05/13/servicedog1.jpg?t=1305323822&s=2" width=300>
<div class="captionwrap enlarge"><A style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://media.npr.org/chrome/news/icon_enlarge.gif); PADDING-LEFT: 20px; DISPLAY: block; BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0px 0px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 18px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); CLEAR: left; FONT-SIZE: 10px; TEXT-DECORATION: none; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial" class=enlargeicon title="Enlarge Image" href="http://www.npr.org/2011/05/14/136287114/new-rules-seek-to-educate-schools-on-service-dogs&sc=nl&cc=nh-20110514" target=_blank alt="Enlarge"><SPAN>Enlarge</SPAN></A><SPAN style="TEXT-ALIGN: right; MARGIN: 0px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: right; COLOR: rgb(102,102,102); FONT-SIZE: 10px" class=creditwrap><SPAN class=credit>Larry Abramson</SPAN>/<SPAN class=rightsnotice>NPR</SPAN></SPAN>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: rgb(102,102,102); CLEAR: both; FONT-SIZE: 11px; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Nathan Selove relies on his service dog, Sylvia, to help him deal with meltdowns and other issues related to Asperger's syndrome.</div>
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<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><STRONG>Nathan And Sylvia<br>
</STRONG></div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Everyone at Sherando High School in Virginia knows Nathan Selove: He's the kid with the dog.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"Actually," he says, "she's the only dog in the Frederick County public school system, so far."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Sylvia is a sweet-tempered yellow Lab who accompanies Nathan to school every day. She wears a green vest that proclaims: "Don't pet me, I'm working."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Nathan used to be a target of bullying, but is less so now, he says. He strolls down the hallways, leash in hand, looking relaxed, sunglasses propped above his forehead. You would hardly know he has Asperger's syndrome, or that he sometimes has terrifying meltdowns in class. That's why Sylvia is here.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"And when I feel the need to pet her," he says, "I just sort of lean down and pet her. And sometimes, like when I get really stressed out — which doesn't actually happen that often anymore — she'll get on my lap."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">In history class, Nathan sits down, and Sylvia grabs a spot under his desk and chills. In a room full of high school sophomores, she is the calmest mammal there.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">History teacher Doreen Pauley says Sylvia is just part of the class now. "If he needs her, she's there; if he doesn't, she's just quiet. She's a good dog."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The blind don't usually get a guide dog until they are adults, so the service animals that schools see are focused on other conditions, like autism — a growing number of autistic children are paired with service animals.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The Frederick County school system was initially hesitant when Nathan's parents decided that he would benefit from having a service dog in middle school. But now, Sylvia even rides the bus to school with Nathan.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><STRONG>A Dispute In California<br>
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<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Not every parent has gotten the same reception. Attorney Kathleen Mehfoud represents a number of Virginia school districts and says many schools worry they may violate the rights of other students by admitting a service dog.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"For example, there are a number of students and staff who may be allergic to dogs," she says.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Disability rights groups say allergies and other issues can easily be dealt with. They pushed the U.S. Justice Department to issue new rules this spring clarifying that the Americans with Disabilities Act does apply to schools.</div>
<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM: rgb(0,0,0) 1px; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; MARGIN: 10px 20px 34px 45px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; COLOR: rgb(102,102,102); CLEAR: right; FONT-SIZE: 1em; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BORDER-TOP: rgb(0,0,0) 8px" id=res136288911 class="bucketwrap pullquote">
<div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://media.npr.org/chrome/news/quote_top.gif); MARGIN: 0px 0px 8px; HEIGHT: 25px; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial" class=buckettop></div>
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<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 1em; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-TOP: 0px">His behaviors are really more calm at home, or when we're out with [his service dog] Eddy. I don't know what's going on at school that's really increasing these aggressive behaviors.</div>
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<div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://media.npr.org/chrome/news/quote_bottom.gif); MARGIN: 8px 0px 10px; HEIGHT: 25px; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial" class=bucketbottom></div>
<div style="BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; FONT-STYLE: italic; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; FLOAT: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); CLEAR: none; FONT-SIZE: 0.75em; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=byline>- Milka Ciriacks, whose son Caleb is severely autistic</div>
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<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">But some districts still question why dogs are necessary, especially for students who already get intensive special ed services.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">In Orange County, Calif., Milka Ciriacks has been fighting to have Eddy the service dog accompany her 6-year-old son, Caleb, to school. Caleb is severely autistic and used to run away all the time.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"It didn't really make sense to me until we had the episode where Caleb took off," she says. "And that was like the big red flag that like, we need something else."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">For the past year, the Cypress School District has refused to allow Eddy into the school, so Ciriacks has turned to federal court. The district would not talk on tape, but in court filings, officials argue that Caleb is making good progress without a dog.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The district worries that being tied to an animal will reduce his independence. But Ciriacks says that without Eddy, her son is having outbursts in school.<STRONG></STRONG></div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">"His behaviors are really more calm at home, or when we're out with Eddy," she says. "I don't know what's going on at school that's really increasing these aggressive behaviors."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><STRONG>New Rules Offer Hope<br>
</STRONG></div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The new federal regulations are meant to stop these cases from going to court. The rules tell schools they must admit legitimate service dogs. But they also say that schools do not have to allow the wide variety of "therapy animals," who are not trained, and primarily provide companionship and comfort.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Schools attorney Mehfoud says it's about time. "We have dealt with requests for service snakes and service monkeys in the past," she says.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">The new rules make it clear that trained dogs are pretty much the only animals who qualify.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Home at last after working all day, Sylvia sheds her service vest and becomes a house pet for a little while.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">She gets to run around on the Selove family's 11-acre property. The family home is a bit of service dog heaven. Ramon Selove, Nathan's father, also has Asperger's syndrome and takes his dog, Cori, to his job as a college professor. But he has this caution: Service dogs are a lot of work.</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Training can cost tens of thousands of dollars and involves weeks of classroom work that can be challenging for kids like Nathan. But Selove says his son was so motivated by the chance to have this dog that "he was willing to do things he wouldn't have been willing to do otherwise."</div>
<div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.45em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 1.25em; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0.85em; PADDING-TOP: 0px">Sylvia may well be Nathan's best friend. Many other disabled schoolchildren now also have the U.S. Justice Department as their buddy.</div>
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