Man's best friend to play a role

Six year old Chicago, Illinois resident Kaleb Drew and his labrador retriever Chewey made headlines about the presence of the trained dog in Drew's classroom. Kaleb is autistic. Drew's family feels the dog provides a calming influence that can not be created through traditional means. However, the school district feels strongly that the dog is not only a potential distraction the other students, but also a health risk due to possible allergies. The Drew family is currently waiting for a ruling to be handed down from the Illinois court that would hopefully overrule the current ban of service animals in schools. Autism may create obstacles for families like the Drews. Ways to fix these issues, such as a companion dog, should be respected if it works for the individual. Kaleb, like all first graders, is a curious kid that will enjoy learning in a classroom setting. If it takes a dog, cat, whistle, blanket or food to create a sense of comfort it should be accepted.