American Notes PENNSYLVANIA

All sixth-grader Michael Gaudiello wants is his independence. Using a wheelchair because of muscular dystrophy, he does not care to rely on others to open the doors, carry his books or help him get to the bathroom. Last spring freedom came in the form of a collie named Ashley, specially trained to help Michael through his day. When school officials in Delaware County, Pa., banned the dog from classes at his special school, Michael appealed to state officials. "It was my choice to fight for this," Gaudiello says. "I thought I was right and they were wrong."

The state department of education ruled that Michael should be "mainstreamed" into a school in his home district of Chichester. The new school promised to accept Ashley, install wheelchair ramps and assign attendants to help him use the bathroom twice a day. But all Michael wants is to take Ashley to his old school. His parents have challenged the dog ban as discriminatory against the disabled.