Young girl takes fight over service dog to U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - A Michigan girl goes before the U.S. Supreme Court Monday in her fight to have her service dog at school with her.
Ehlena Fry and her parents are suing her Jackson County school district after they refused to let the little girl into class with her service dog.
It’s a case that could impact kids around the country.
The ACLU made a video to show how important Fry's dog is when her fight began in 2012.
She has cerebral palsy and uses her dog-- Wonder-- to help with a number of tasks.
Napoleon Community Schools told the 8-year-old that they had human aides to help her, and her dog wasn't welcome.
Lower courts ruled against the Frys before the Supreme Court agreed in June to take up the case.
Her family says the school broke ADA rules by denying Ehlena her independence at school and discriminated against her in a public place.
"A lot of people with disabilities that's very important, you know, to have some sort of control over their life. And so a service animal, even for young children, gives them that constant in their life that they may not have otherwise had. You don't take your parents to school with you but you can take your serve dog to school with you and that's a constant safety,” said Stacy Fry, Ehlena's mother.
The ACLU says the ruling, which will most likely come next year, could impact students with disabilities across the country.
The U.S. Supreme Court hearing is at 10:00 a.m. Monday.
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ACLU video was used in this report.
