Family ‘gutted’ by ban on helper dog from son's school

The mother of a boy with cerebral palsy who was awarded €5,500 by the Workplace Relations Commission said her family was “gutted” when his school would not allow him to bring his assistance dog with him.

Pauline Kelly-Melia said she was all the more hurt by the decision because she was informed of the decision by letter on the same day she spoke with the principal of Knocktemple National School in Virginia, Co Cavan, who never told her the school was banning the dog.

Ms Kelly-Melia said the assistance dog, Aidan, has not only prevented her son Luke from falling but has helped develop him physically.