WATERLOO — An Illinois school district will have to at least temporarily allow a service dog into one of its special education classrooms, but not in time for his partner’s first day of school. Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Doyle granted a preliminary injunction against the Columbia Community School District, which told the parents of a 5-year-old autistic boy in June that he would not be allowed to bring his new service dog to school. The judge set another hearing for Monday for both sides to discuss ways the district can safely accommodate the dog, a bouvier named Corbin, as well as other children in Carter Kalbfleisch’s pre-kindergarten special education class. Carter, who got the dog last month, is scheduled to begin school Monday, but Doyle said it would be unfair for the district to take on the dog by Monday without further discussion between both parties. The judge also rejected the district’s claims the dog was not a service dog and that it was an unfair burden to the rest of the students.

Tags: education, hypoallergenic dog, dog, carter, school, hypoallergenic dog food