The Associated Press

MOUNT VERNON, Ky. - School officials in Rockcastle County are trying to determine whether a 7-year-old student should be allowed to bring her specially trained dog to school. The dog knows how to respond to Cheyenne Gilliam's frequent epileptic seizures.

Cheyenne brought Mikki to her first day of school at Mount Vernon Elementary on Wednesday. But Rockcastle County Schools Superintendent Larry Hammond notified Cheyenne's parents, Jennifer and Anthony Gilliam, that the dog had to be removed. Both Cheyenne and Mikki went home.

Hammond said he wants to find out whether the school is legally obligated to allow Cheyenne to bring Mikki, a 55-pound Weimaraner, into the classroom. The school board's attorney is reviewing the case.

"I've never dealt with a situation quite like this," Hammond said. "I regret the inconvenience to the parent and the child."

Hammond said the dog could be a liability to the district and might disrupt the classroom. He also noted that some children might fear dogs or be allergic to them.

But Cheyenne's mother, Jennifer Gilliam, said she's frustrated that the issue is coming up now, two months after she began working with the school system to ensure it was prepared for the dog.

Cheyenne was diagnosed with epilepsy about two years ago but did not have a canine helper at her previous school in Edmonson County.

Gilliam said the dog senses oncoming seizures and alerts Cheyenne by obsessively licking the palms of her hands. That cues Cheyenne to sit down on the floor, so she will not hit her head.

During a seizure, Mikki lies across the girl, providing a sense of security. When Mikki gets up, Cheyenne knows it's safe for her to get up, too, Gilliam said.

Cheyenne takes medicine that helps prevent seizures, but she still has three to five "full-blown" episodes a week, Gilliam said.

The family is filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. Gilliam said she hopes the situation is resolved quickly, as Hammond has pledged. "I really don't want her to fall behind," she said.