Profile For Kevin L.

I have seen similar topics on here about trucking companies I simply could not think of a better place to ask then here. I live in Pennsylvania and currently have a Class A CDL with both the medical examiners certification and a school bus physical for my school bus endorsement. I do have a couple documented disabilities. I have had a self trained service dog for a few years that helps me out quite a bit when I am not driving the bus. There is no certification that is recognized federally for service dogs. the only requirement is they are trained to help mitigate a disability. Under the federal and state laws I cannot find any specific reasons my employer would be able to legally prohibit me from having the dog with me on the school bus. I know me asking for reasonable accommodations to have my dog on the bus with me will be met with resistance from both my employer and the school district. My employer and the school district are two separate entities. I cannot think of any way that my dog would cause undue hardship on the daily operations of my employer. I spend a few hours a day in the bus taking people to and from schools and camps and sometimes on charters or day trips under 300 miles round trip.

I guess what I am really asking is can anyone here think of a possible legal reason I could be denied specifically? The only other people that are on my bus when I am driving are the passengers and being allergic or frightened is not a reason for denial. My particular dog is a mixed breed of a few breeds with bad reputations but I don't think I could even get my dog to bite anyone if i tried or even if she was threatened by a kid honestly. this dog in particular only rarely even barks. I can count the number of times she barked this year on one hand and have fingers left over. With the nationwide shortage of experienced and qualified school bus drivers I do not think I would be fired but I can see this turning into a lawsuit should the school start objecting which they likely will.

Sorry this is so long but I am very passionate about this subject. It is not like I would be taking the dog into the school either as we are not even allowed to use the bathrooms in the school I drive for. Most allergies to dogs are from direct contact and the passengers have no reason to touch my dog as I see that as distracting her from her job to monitor and help me.

thanks in advance