The Associated Press

MOUNT VERNON, Ky. - A 7-year-old girl with epilepsy returned to school with her specially trained dog after a doctor certified the pooch as medically necessary.

Cheyenne Gilliam and her dog, Mikki, returned to classes Friday morning, Rockcastle County Schools Superintendent Larry Hammond confirmed.

The girl's mother, Jennifer Gilliam, brought a letter from Cheyenne's doctor saying the dog is trained to sense when Cheyenne is about to have a seizure and is necessary for her medical safety.

The Gilliam family and the school had been at an impasse since Wednesday, when Cheyenne spent two hours in class on the first day of school before Hammond said they would have to leave. Cheyenne and the dog were turned away from classes on Thursday as well.

Though administrators at the school had given their approval for Cheyenne to bring the dog to school, Hammond said he had concerns about safety issues, such as other kids being allergic to the dog or being afraid.

After talking with the school board's attorney and insurer, however, Hammond said he would allow Cheyenne to attend school with her dog if her doctor certified it was medically necessary.

The Gilliams said Mikki, a 55-pound Weimaraner, senses oncoming seizures and alerts Cheyenne by obsessively licking the palms of her hands. That cues Cheyenne to sit down on a mat on the floor, so she will not hit her head.

During a seizure, Mikki lies across the girl, providing a sense of security.