Hello to all our animal enthusiasts! CertaPet is back with yet another newsletter to help our readers keep abreast with the latest in the Emotional Support Animals community. This week, we take you to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where a high school is under investigation for failing to provide support to their student and her Service Dog.
Michigan Student Files A Federal Complaint Against Her High School For Facing Harassment
In Jan 2023, a Kalamazoo school came under investigation after a student with a Service Dog was subjected to repeated harassment and attempts on her Service Animal’s life.
Alyssa Douglas’s Service Dog, Moxi, assists her with severe anxiety attacks that can cause fainting episodes, along with drops in oxygen levels and heart rate.
The school is being investigated under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990.
The federal complaint highlights an episode on Oct. 10th where a group of six students harassed Douglas and Moxi. The students continuously circled the two where Douglas sat in the hallway, and when asked to stop, one student tried jumping on the dog and landed inches away from its neck.
Douglas states she made a complaint to an assistant principal about the incident. However, she was told the school could do nothing.
Douglas’s mom tried intervening later but was informed that Douglas had threatened a lawsuit, and the administration took up the matter. When the family heard nothing from the administration after five months, they proceeded to file a federal complaint.
In such circumstances, federal law requires educational institutions to determine a plan if a student needs accommodations. While the school allowed Douglas to bring her Service Animal to school, they weren’t able to provide any other support.
Douglas says she’s hoping this experience will make the administration at Kalamazoo Central accommodating to students with disabilities. She stated, “If I’m already putting myself out there, I might as well keep doing it because nobody else should have to go through what I’ve gone through with him.”
Source: MLive
CertaPet’s Thoughts on This Week’s News
While Alyssa Douglas and Moxi’s experience at Kalamazoo Central is disquieting, her attempt to make the high school’s environment better for other students with disabilities is highly encouraging. Federal law requires institutions to provide reasonable support to students with Service Animals. However, in cases like Alyssa’s, silence on the part of the administration can make life more difficult for students. This is especially worrying when dealing with students with disabilities.
If you’re living with a mental illness, getting an emotional support animal could really help your recovery. These loving animals could ease your symptoms and help you live a happier, fuller life. If you’re ready to start the process, take our 5-minute pre-screening test for free. We’ll connect you with a licensed mental health professional, who will have a consultation with you. Then, if you qualify, you’ll get your ESA letter in no time.