In May, CBS 3 Springfield news showed a story about a seven year old Chicopee boy who, after much fundraising, finally received a service dog to help him with his disabilities. But his mother is fighting another battle, to get the service dog allowed into school.

For the past few weeks, Kita has been by seven year old Adam Byczko's side, making sure he's safe, and putting his mother at ease. "She (Kita) takes her nose and comes up underneath him. If he is biting his hand, she'll put her nose underneath him and nuzzle it away," explains Sue Byczko. Adam is diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. With limited speech, autistic tendencies, difficult mobility and seizures, Kita is more than just a helping paw. "She is a multi-service dog, trained in behavior disruption. She can actually get him to stop biting himself, and alert me or anybody to his seizures."

But the one place Kita can't be with Adam, is at school. Sue Byczko began asking Chicopee school officials last fall about bringing his service dog into school, but she was denied. "No one has given me any documentation to prove that having the dog with Adam during the school day would in anyway have a positive impact on either his health safety, or access to the educational program," said Richard Rege, the Superintendent of Chicopee Public Schhols.

School officials say they have to protect the safety of the entire school. "We know a teacher in Adam's class is severely allergic to dogs and we also have some students allergic to dogs as well," said Rege. But Massachusetts state law guarantees that trained service dogs be allowed in all public places. And Byczko may turn to legal help soon. "I feel it is a violation of Adam's rights," said Byczko.

School officials say they understand the need for service dogs, and if it goes to court, they will abide by the ruling.
If Kita does make the grade, this would be the first service dog in the Chicopee school system.