Woman with service dog prevented from taking exam

June 29, 2005

Valerie Franklin and her service dog Sunny

(Grand Rapids, June 29, 2005, 6:22 p.m.)

A college student was kicked out of a pharmacy entrance exam because she requires the use of a service dog.

It happened Saturday at test conducted by a Texas-based examination company on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College.

The Americans with Disabilities Act says you can't discriminate against a person because you need the assistance of a service dog. But that's what a young college student says happened, when she was not allowed to take a test, because she brought a service dog with here.

Brittle bone disease has left her with a small frame but it hasn't affected her desires and dreams. Intent on becoming a pharmacist, 19-year-old Valarie Franklin had an important test to take -- the pharmacy school entrance exam. She prepared to take the test, but not prepared for what happened next.

"While I was waiting in my seat, the proctors came over and said 'You know you can't have the dog in here.' Next thing you know they're telling me you didn't do this, we can't let you have dog even in the building and you are being dismissed from the test," said Franklin.

The test was administered by a Texas company called Harcourt Assessment. And according to a company spokesman, this was all just an unfortunate misunderstanding. Valarie should have told them she had a special accommodation -- a service dog trained to help people with disabilities.

The company also says, even though the American Disabilities Act says you can't deny a service dog access to a building, there are provisions that deal directly with standardized tests. The dog could be a distraction. Valarie would have been put in a room by herself, if she'd just let them know she was bringing a dog.

GRCC Chief of Police Cindy Kennell says that's simply wrong. Service dogs are not accommodations, they're trained devices for the disabled, "Its a help, a crutch a wheelchair, anything like that, and you don't have to announce that."

According to Michigan and federal law, she says, you can't deny them because they require the services of a dog. For Valerie it has become more than just taking a test, "Since it's definitely bigger than just the two of us, it affects a lot more people and service dogs are all over."

So now she's speaking out.

Harcourt says it is looking into its policies, hoping to make them more clear. It's also reviewing state and federal law on the subject.

In the meantime, Valarie will get to take that test at Harcourt's expense.

July 1, 2005

Oh thats so sad, cause these dogs or wonderful...exactly what is the real reason behind their garbage of these dogs not being service dogs..brendaTolianTales <toliantales wrote:

As a service dog user myself, this happens all to frequently. Those of us who have larger dogs such as mine who weighs in at 120 when he's fit, are even more likely to be discriminated against. Due to the Supreme Court's restructuring of the ADA, we have fewer rights now than ever before...

Bridgett SwensonLightning Bolt Express KennelsDenali Sled Dog School and Touring CompanyTwo Rivers Alaska

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Sharon

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Wednesday, June 29, 2005 2:09 PM