Seven year old Devyn Rose Pereira has Angelmans, a rare genetic condition presenting as an extreme case of Epilepsy and Autism. Her service dog detects and disrupts life threatening seizures, helps her walk and stay on task to learn.
Without cause, the Gates Chili School District disregarded medical recommendations and illegally removed the service dog from Devyn’s individualized education plan (IEP). The district maintains that if Ms. Pereira is unable to pay for a separate dog handler, Devyn’s service dog would be denied access to school.
It also took the additional step of barring all school employees from assisting Devyn with her service dog. The Department of Justice ruled the Gates Chili is in violation of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).