PITTSBURGH -- He's a first-grader's best friend, and his best chance of avoiding diabetic shock, but school officials won't allow the German shepherd on campus.
Rowan Alexander, 6, suffers from Type 1 diabetes and benefits from having his German shepherd, Leslie, around because the dog can smell chemical changes in the boy's body and paw at others if his blood sugar becomes too low.
Watch Jen Miele's Report"When we found out about diabetic alert dogs, we were thrilled because we needed something to help Rowan when we weren't around because we can recognize the symptoms more so than sometimes even he can," said mother Amy Alexander.
Rowan would be a student at Allegheny-Hyde Park Elementary, but his parents opted for Cyber School when the district wouldn't allow him to attend class with Leslie by his side.
"We take her everywhere and I really like her," said Rowan.
Kiski Area School District said it hasn't ruled out Rowan and Leslie completely, they've just never deal with a request of their nature and are in the proves of developing protocol for service dogs.
Concerns over how other children will react to the dog, especially those with allergies and phobias, is one angle being looked at by district officials.
The Alexanders will also have to establish a need for Leslie because the school has other ways to care for children with diabetes.
"The first day of school I did send him without Leslie -- he has an insulin pump -- and the nurse didn't know how to work this specific pump, so I was there four times that day. I pretty much sat in the parking lot," said Amy Alexander with a laugh.
Superintendent John Meighan told Channel 4 Action News' Jen Miele that he would be willing to sit down with the Alexanders.
The Alexanders told Miele there will be no further talks until they hire an attorney.
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