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Fullerton student urges district to allow service‑dog training on campus, citing ADA and state protections
Summary
A Fullerton High student asked the board to allow Mobility Dog teams and service‑dogs‑in‑training on campus, saying the district has blocked training and urging clear policy and legal compliance; the superintendent said the district will review the request and meet with the parties.
Jalise Northgraves, a 16‑year‑old Fullerton High School student, told the Fullerton Joint Union High School District Board that her application to train a service dog through Mobility Dog was blocked by the district and appealed for clearer accommodations so other students with disabilities have equal access. “By blocking this training, the district is not only saying no to me. It is limiting students who will rely on service dogs to access school,” she said.
Her mother, Shannon, and Mobility Dog advocate Janine Heineck described a months‑long effort beginning Sept. 27, 2025, to obtain reasonable accommodations. Heineck told the board that under California disability law a service‑dog trainee accompanied by its trainer has the same access rights as a fully trained service dog, and that training in real‑world environments such as school campuses is necessary to prepare dogs to support disabled handlers safely.
The speakers asked the board to adopt transparent policy and procedures so students and training teams know when and how on‑campus training is permitted. They said other public school districts already allow service‑dog training on campus and urged FJUHSD to follow the same approach.
Superintendent Dr. McLaughlin told the board he would personally look into the matter and noted a meeting on the issue is scheduled in about two weeks. “I’ll be looking into the matter personally, and we’ll be able to better understand the situation,” he said.
The board did not take a vote. The discussion ended with the superintendent stating the district will review relevant law and policy and meet with Mobility Dog, the trainer, and student representatives to clarify next steps.
