Abby is a mobility dog specifically trained to assist one of our students who has a physical disability.

Next term, we will be welcoming a new and unique student to our Clearview family.  This is Abby and she is a Mobility Dog who has been partnered with Dylan in the Challenge Team.

Dylan has Cerebral Palsy which is a physical disability that can limit his ability to carry out everyday tasks that an able-bodied person can often take for granted.  Abby has been trained for the past two years to provide learning and mobility assistance to Dylan at home and at school.

On Friday 2nd March @ 11:45am, we will have a visit from the team at The Mobility Dogs Association who will speak to the children about their organisation and how Abby will be providing assistance to Dylan.  Abby won't be here at this stage, she will come for a visit towards the end of this term.

The team will also be available to answer any questions from staff, students and parents following this presentation. 

Attached to this article is a Mobility Dogs Booklet and an FAQ document.

Also, here are some brief FAQ's that will answer any immediate questions you may have:

• What is the legal ground for this dog to be at school if pet dogs are not allowed?  A Mobility Dog is a Disability Assist Dog as defined by Dog Control Act 1996
• Is Mobility Dog’s behaviour going to cause any trouble? Can it do any harm to other children?  The short answer is NO. This is a grown-up dog (over 2 years old) that has been temperament tested and trained in accordance with Assistance Dogs International standards.
• Can this dog spread any zoonotic diseases? What about the toileting etc?   NO, it is regularly treated for fleas, worms, groomed etc. Mobility Dog toilets on command in a designated area.
• Can a dog pose a threat to children who have dog hair allergies?   No more than a pet dog would. In fact, since it is groomed regularly it is less likely to leave the leave behind the reaction causing dander.

I would invite any parents who would like to discuss the health needs of your child to make contact with me should you have any further questions. 

Thanks

Rob Rush