I know a while ago, there was quite an uproar about dogs at Bester Elementary. Dogs actually can have quite a therapeutic effect on people of all ages. Below is a link to a great story about a dog that has been brought into a school for help in the classroom.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3226282.stm

I personally did not see what the big deal was having the dogs at Bester.

I think it was a good idea too.

How about allergies? How about this is a public building? How about does your boss let you bring your pet to work??
THE BETTER QUESTION IS WHY SHOULD SHE BE ALLOWED TO BRING HER DOGS IN??

I have to say I have mixed feelings about it. Trained therapy dogs are great, but again, we have the allergy issue. I'm not a dog hater, just hate being licked by them and jumped on. Then there are those who are terrified of them, no matter how gentle or small.

I don't see what the big deal is either. Kids, especially little ones, pretty much love dogs and animals in the classroom.

Heck, let's start a small zoo! Don't forget when you open Pandora's box a little, the lid flips back! Next they'll want snakes and rabbits(and you know how they breed). If a kid cannot eat a PB&J sandwich because some kid might be allergic(I'm not making this up folks--this is happening in other schools around the country) then how can we allow dogs into a school...? Can all the teachers then bring their pets? Or how about the janitors who clean at night? Can they bring theirs? Or maybe the bus drivers should bring their pets on the buses? Do you see where this leads?

Many classes do have a class pet, which gets sent home with a child caretaker for a weekend. And one third grade at "P" has a bird. Don't know if it goes home w/ kids though. I hear ya on the whole allergy thing. Can't send in treats because of allergies to wheat, peanuts, milk, eggs, and so on. Gets a bit ridiculous. The kids w/ the allergies know what they can and cannot eat. Pet dander allergies aren't as controllable. Again, it has merits as well as deficits.

Of course there would be exceptions. If a child could have an allergic reaction to the animal, then it absolutely should not be in the classroom.

I know my niece has a bunny at her daycare, and all the children take turns bringing the bunny home on the weekend, which can be used as an award system. It makes sense.

In order for a dog to be allowed to be brought into a classroom, it would need to undergo special training. It would have to be trained not to jump, lick, bark, etc.

TXexpatriot - I understand the point you're trying to make with the janitor bringing their pet to school, etc. However, you're missing the whole point. The point is not to simply be allowed to have pet day at school. The point is that having a dog in the classroom can be beneficial. I see no benefits in the janitor bringing their pet to school. Unless, of course, this is some talented cleaning pet, in which case, I'd have to get one of those myself.

You're absolutly right! Why should kids be punished just because someone is allergic to something? It's not their fault. Some parents and teachers need to get a grip.

The point is--the dogs are not allowed on school grounds--AND when you begin to make 'exceptions' for one, suddenly everyone is a 'special case' and no one has to follow the rules.
Point 2--the dogs were not in the classroom--but the office! So, kids who are terrified of the principal then are also confronted by animals!
I went to school not that long ago and no one brought their pet to school. And I have worked in many offices, and in not one have I ever seen the employees bring their pets either...

Well heaven forbid they should do something new and exciting for the kids. Why are people in this area so afraid of change?

Also, why are kids terrified of the principal? I was never terrified of the principal - I don't know what you did for your principal to instill terror into you, must have been pretty bad.

It isn't change that people are afraid of..its exceptions to rules--its called discrimination....

How is it discrimination by bringing dogs in the classroom? Anywho, I was terrified of my priniciple as well.

Having to take that note home scared the -ell outta me! Boy howdy was I gonna get it!