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2007 10 19

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v04n21)

Removal of CCI facility dogs from northside school district still angering area residents - By Ashley Plummer

posted: Oct. 19, 2007

By Ashley Plummer

*Editor's Note: While the Gazette mainly tries to keep its focus on events happening in the Broad Ripple Village and immediate surrounding areas, we found the following story to be a rather special one that did not receive the coverage needed by larger media outlets. Many Canine Companion for Independence (CCI) puppy raisers live in the area and have been left speechless and confused by recent happenings involving a decision made by the Carmel-Clay school board last spring-to remove facility dogs from all of their schools and all of Hamilton County.

-Ashley Plummer

When I was asked to write an article regarding the removal of CCI facility dogs from the Carmel-Clay school system (which went into effect at the beginning of the 2007 school year), I went through all the motions to remain as unbiased as possible.

I went to a school board meeting in mid-September, which was the last time that local CCI volunteers (who consist mainly of puppy-raisers and advocates for people with disabilities) were able to speak in front of the Carmel-Clay school board members, including Superintendent Dr. Barbara Underwood.

CCI volunteers Linda Saunders (current president of the Central Indiana Chapter of Canine Companions for Independence) and Dan O'Brien (past president of Central Indiana CCI Chapter) were on hand to speak about the amazing benefits that service dogs provide to students with disabilities at literally no cost to taxpayers or schools themselves.

Saunders read a letter from Corey Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of CCI in California, that pleaded with both Dr. Underwood and the board members to reconsider their decision.

O'Brien admonished the board members by mentioning to them the fact that each facility dog (there were currently two) that was granted to the Carmel-Clay school system could be valued at almost $50,000. The school board members watched with what appeared to me to be nothing beyond boredom as if the CCI volunteers appeared to be just another group that spoke before the school board and nothing more.

I spoke with many of the volunteers after the meeting in order to find out what I assumed had been a decision made by the board in its entirety, only to discover that the removal of the facility dogs was an order passed down over the school system by the superintendent herself, disregarding any other board members' opinions.

I also learned that numerous other news outlets attempted to speak with not only Dr. Underwood, but the board members as well-only to get the same answer every time from the superintendent.

The Indianapolis Star reported on April 27, 2007, that Underwood's decision was not based on any parent asking her to remove the dogs, but that it was her belief that there were several health and liability ramifications to having the dogs in the schools.

But what about latex allergies? What about peanut allergies? What about the hair from house pets that children bring with them every day to school on their clothing?

The two schools that were affected were Smoky Row Elementary (where a CCI dog named Christa was the facility dog) and Woodbrook Elementary (where Kishon was the CCI facility dog).

At the school board meeting on April 23, it was reported that parents from both of these schools appeared in front of the board complaining about Underwoood's decision.

After the last meeting in September, I e-mailed each school board member, including Dr. Underwood.

I received only one reply, coming from board member Jeffry Carter. The following is an excerpt from his email:

"Over the last year, the Board has considered testimony and opinion from a wide cross section of the public. Significant misinformation was generated in the process by persons with no connection to Carmel Clay Schools. There is a lot of energy on both sides of this highly emotional issue.

That said, local residents spoke and were heard. I stand by Dr. Underwood's decision in the matter. I consider the matter closed."

I thanked Mr. Carter for his response, but replied by asking him what the "significant misinformation generated by the process" was. I never received a reply.

I was assuming that if I happened to learn what this misinformation was, maybe I would be able to understand Dr. Underwood's decision. But since I never did, I only have the facts to provide a one-sided story on what happened-which is what you will receive in the upcoming issue of the Gazette.

Publishing this piece is my final request to those on the other side of this issue to speak up and address a decision that was made without proper research or sense.

In the next edition of this piece, I will explain some of the miracles that CCI facility dogs have provided for students with disabilities that I discovered from talking with volunteers and a series of e-mails and outside articles written about the dogs themselves.

I ask any current or former CCI volunteers to write in and allow their stories to be shared with the public in the Gazette. I also ask that anyone who has witnessed what these dogs can do for children with disabilities to share as well.

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