Random Thoughts From Marybeth

The Dog Only Listens in French, He Speaks Dog

Paul has written about Canadian schools and their French/English language regulations. That's why I wasn't really surprised by this:

A blind Quebec student, who was denied entry to English classes at a Canadian university because his guide dog responds only to French commands, will be allowed to attend class, the school said on Wednesday.

Yvan Tessier was turned away from an English immersion course at the University of New Brunswick because he would be forced to give his dog, Pavot, instructions in French.

Students in the course are expected to communicate only in English, at all times, during the intensive five-week course. That was to include talking to the dog, but the university relented, saying in a statement that Tessier will be allowed to use "essential commands in his native French language to his guide dog."

Earlier, Tessier said he would file a complaint with the human rights commission if the university stuck to its decision.

I'm sure they weren't concerned about a possible complaint, the university just saw that their requirements forbidding speaking French to the dog were absurd.

Yeah, right.