Abstract

Some years ago the parent of a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and a disruptive behavior disorder asked me whether I would write a letter to the school’s principal with a medical recommendation that her child be allowed to keep his dog with him in the classroom during the school day. Her reasoning was that her child calmed down when allowed to play with his dog and she thought this could help the teacher better manage her classroom with regard to my patient. I remember running a literature search for supportive studies from which to make a medical recommendation, but did not find any; however, I did find attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder support and advocacy Web sites that touted this idea as a suggestion for teachers.