Family fights for assistance dog admission into Murray Bridge school

An assistance dog is the catalyst for independence for a 12-year-old boy with special needs, but the labrador has been denied access to a public high school he has begun attending.

A high school denying the admittance of an assistance dog is putting a young student with special needs at risk, according to a Murray Bridge mother.

The four-legged companion is the catalyst for independence for 12-year-old Logan Reese, who has his assistance dog Hunter by his side around the clock.

Murrianna Reese and her son Logan with his assistance dog Hunter. Picture: Dylan Hogarth

Logan lives with epilepsy, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and autism and his mother Murrianna said Hunter played a crucial role in keeping her son safe.

She said Hunter played an important role in protecting Logan and was trained to alert adults if he was having a seizure and also helped to reduce the student’s anxiety.

However, Ms Reese said she had been in a long battle with the Murray Bridge High School to allow the dog to attend alongside Logan, who has just started at the education institution.

She said she was perplexed by the decision to refuse the dog into the school after Hunter was able to be with her son at Fraser Park Primary School for the past three years.

“Hunter helped staff at his primary school identify when he had a seizure and really helped Logan integrate into the school,” she said.

Logan Reese with his assistance dog Hunter at the Women’s and Children's Hospital. Picture: Supplied

Ms Reese said the school first said Hunter was denied access due to concerns about other student’s allergies and the cultural needs of fellow school attendees.

However, Ms Reese said she had encountered no such concern with Logan’s accredited assistance dog at his previous school and believed the school had no right to deny the canine access.

According to the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995, a person who is wholly or partially blind or deaf, or otherwise disabled, is entitled to be accompanied by an accredited assistance dog in a public place.

The Act also states people who are wholly or partially blind or deaf, or otherwise have a disability, are entitled to take an accredited assistance dog onto any place or premises.

Ms Reese said she was worried Logan might need to revert to home schooling, missing out on the benefits of the classroom environment.

Murray Bridge High School Principal Ruth Mussger told The Messenger the school had been actively working with the family and was “committed to meeting the needs of all students”.

“We are working through this issue with the family to assure the wellbeing of the student, and learning for the student and the class,” she said.

“We have had a positive meeting with the family and are hopeful of an early resolution.

“The school prides itself on finding out and addressing the needs of all its students to the best of its ability and resources, including those with special needs.”

Logan Reese with his assistance dog Hunter at the Women’s and Children's Hospital. Picture: Supplied