Who would have a problem with a 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy bringing her fluffy white goldendoodle to school to help get her through the day?

Apparently some folks did. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case regarding Ehlena Fry and her dog Wonder. It appeared most of the justices were leaning toward the opinion that federal disability laws allow Fry to pursue the case in court.

The Fry family’s argument began in 2009 in downstate Jackson County when the girl, who was in kindergarten at the time, used Wonder to help her open doors and pick up items.

School officials at first refused to allow the dog at school, insisting an adult aide instead could help Fry. They later softened their stance but still imposed restrictions, so the family decided to home-school their daughter. She later attended another school district that let her have Wonder in class.

The individuals with Disabilities Education Act allowed the district to bar the dog in favor of a teacher’s aide. This means the family would have to go through administrative proceedings to challenge that decision. However, the family said it has a right to sue for damages under the Americans with Disabilities Act, noting it refused to accommodate Wonder for more than 2 1/2 years.

So, there are two ways to look at the case. Disability groups want to remove cumbersome procedures they believe discourage people from pursuing their legal rights. The school district believes the family is trying to get around a process Congress put in place to let educators and parents informally resolve problems.

Fry now is more independent and attends school without Wonder, who no longer is a service dog. Still, her side contends she suffered emotional trauma while not being allowed to have Wonder at school, with four adults accompanying her to the bathroom instead of just using the dog, for instance.

Service dogs are everywhere. They are trained to be well behaved in public while helping their owners handle daily tasks.

The focus of the Fry case might be administrative in nature, debating whether a school dispute should be argued in court.

The deeper meaning, though, should be making it easier for people with disabilities having their service dogs with them when they need them.

Even if a person could have assisted Ehlena Fry as well as Wonder, it’s hard to believe the presence of a helpful goldendoodle in school would have been detrimental to the district.

We hope the case makes it easier for students with service dogs to have their canine companions in class.

Mining Journal (Marquette)