Parents of Autistic Child Losing Patience with Pine-Richland District Over Request For Service Dog

The family of a second grader with special needs is accusing the Pine-Richland School District of dragging its feet in making a decision about whether to allow a service dog to attend classes with the boy.

Sean Forsyth has Asperger's Syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism, and Sophia is part of a Wilkinsburg-based organization called Perfect Fit Canines that provides service dogs to children with autism.

Sophia is trained to recognize and stop obsessive behaviors, prevent emotional outbursts and detect low medication levels. Besides that, she provides the unconditional love and companionship that only a dog can give.

Sean’s Mother, Jennifer, said her son used to have meltdowns that would last 
two to three hours. Thanks to Sophia, they last 15 minutes. “She is able to alert,” she said. “The longer that she’s here, the more she’s been
able to do that. She sees things before we do.”

And the Forsyth family wants Sophia to be at Sean’s side 24 hours a day, especially when he is in school.

In a written statement the district said, “We have not denied the family request for a service dog. This specific request is being made under the American Disabilities Act. To fall under ADA guidelines, certain criteria must be met.  In our letter dated on January 30, 2012, we requested that the family follow up with us on the specific criteria, so we could make a determination on whether the request falls within those guidelines.  Once we receive that information from the family, we can determine whether a service dog is appropriate in this case."

But Forsyth said the district has all of the information it needs to make a decision.

“Over the past six months administrators and staff have met Sophia personally and have seen what she can do, and we provided that information in not one but two meetings this school year. We have provided all vaccination records, Sophia's rabies certificate and Allegheny County dog license. We also provided a certificate of completion from the ADI (Assistance Dogs International) Public Service Dog Test Sean and Sophia took in September 2011 and passed with an A+,” she said.

Forsyth said she and her husband are not legally bound to provide any more information. “This is a stalling tactic to keep the dog out of the school. And if they do not give us an answer soon, or the answer is no, the district will then be speaking to an attorney and not to us,” she said.

When asked what impact Sophia may have on other children in Sean’s class, particularly those with pet allergies, Forsyth said she was “completely sympathetic to all concerned parents” but that it was up the district to work it all out. 

“In a school setting, administrators are not allowed to favor one situation/disability over another. So if they make accommodations for a kid like Sean, they have to make additional accommodations for kids with allergies or fears. You as the parent have to demand it though because the school will not do it on its own,” she said.

For its part, the district said, "Pine-Richland is concerned with the welfare of all of our students and has an excellent reputation for meeting the needs of our students. We take all requests very seriously, especially when it’s in the best interest of the child.”

Forsyth said several other local school districts have made accommodations for service dogs, including Hempfield, Quaker Valley, Plum and within the next year, Serra Catholic.

“So all of these schools have let dogs in, why is Pine Richland trying to deny Sophia?” Forsyth questioned.