PERHAM, Minn. - A new policy proposed by the Perham-Dent School Board would mean that elementary school kids here would have to say goodbye to their beloved friend Murphy.
The School Board is expected to soon approve a policy that would ban teachers from bringing their pets to school, a move that aims to reduce concerns by people who are allergic to animals and other health reasons.
Up until now, Murphy has been allowed to freely roam the halls at the Perham Elementary School.
Murphy is a 3-year-old golden retriever mix and has served as official school therapy dog for the past three and a half years. He was 6 weeks old when he first came to school with teacher Marcia McEachran. Murphy completed AKC Canine Good Citizen training at a year and a half, and passed his official Delta Therapy Dog Training this past May.
"We all love Murphy," said elementary school Principal Kari Yates at a recent School Board meeting. "Delivering the news to the students was one of the hardest things I've done as a principal. Murphy was a phenomenal addition to the school."
ADVERTISEMENT
The policy bans animals as classroom pets, stating "the most effective method to controlling exposure to animal allergens in schools is to keep schools free of feathered or furred animals."
"This isn't a feel-good issue," said School Board Chairman Jim Rieber. "It is a health issue. A dog is not essential to the educational process."
Allergies and asthma cases are on the increase, said Superintendent Tamara Uselman, adding the school has a number of staff and students who have pet allergies.
"We've had environmental complaints," said Uselman. "The question becomes: 'Is it OK to have a dog on campus when we know people are allergic to it?' "
The policy, however, will not affect the school's vocational-agriculture class that studies small animals. According to the policy, small animals have a defined educational purpose, and the animals in the class are not kept in the mainstream of the high school building nor did they roam freely like Murphy did in the elementary school, noted Uselman.
"Most schools just aren't allowing classroom pets anymore," Uselman said. "We're about the last in the area that we know of."
McEachran, in a letter responding to the policy, said she was "disappointed and saddened that Murphy can no longer attend school"
"I know that the children at Heart of the Lakes benefited from having him there and will miss his wagging tail and the happy demeanor that he greeted them all with each day."
