NY Times - Dogs & Autism article

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November 14, 2008, 11:08 am — Updated: 11:09 am --

Dogs and Autism

By Tara -Pope

At your service? (Damon Winter/The New York Times)

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/dogs-and-autism/

A legal battle in New York City highlights the healing power of dogs

for children with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

Manhattan federal prosecutors have accused the owners of an Upper

East Side residence of discriminating against 11-year-old

Schein by preventing him from having a dog, The New York Daily News

reports. has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, often

considered a high-functioning form of autism, and his doctors believe

a service dog will relieve anxiety and help him cope with the

disorder. People with Asperger's usually have average or above-

average intelligence, but they lack the intuitive ability to read

social cues and find it difficult to make friends and form

relationships.

According to the newspaper, a lawsuit claims the building owners

violated the Fair Housing Act by imposing unreasonable demands on

's parents before allowing a dog.

" It is not right or legal for landlords to dictate the unreasonable

terms and conditions by which persons with disabilities should live

their lives, " said Kim Kendrick, an assistant secretary for the

federal Housing and Urban Development Department, to the newspaper.

After 's parents asked the co-op board to make an exception to

the building's strict no-pets rule, the building placed stringent

conditions on the family. Among the restrictions reportedly imposed

by the building: the dog couldn't be left alone for more than two

hours, it would have to be taken in and out of the building on a

service elevator, monitoring of dog walkers who might take it for a

stroll, and $1 million in liability insurance for any injury or

property damage caused by the dog. A company-hired doctor reportedly

agreed the dog was medically necessary.

The family is asking a judge to allow them to bring the dog home and

award monetary damages because was discriminated against under

the Americans With Disabilities Act, The Daily News reports.

To learn more about the role dogs can play in helping children with

autism and Asperger's, go to the Web sites of 4 Paws for Ability and

Autism Service Dogs of America. This YouTube video highlights the

story of one family who opted for a service dog for their child with

autism.

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