Kindergarten Teacher Sues Ann Arbor School Principal for Allegedly Stealing Therapy Dog

Title: Kindergarten Teacher Sues School Principal for Allegedly Stealing Therapy Dog

In a shocking turn of events, an Ann Arbor Public Schools kindergarten teacher has filed a lawsuit against her school’s principal, alleging that he stole her beloved bernedoodle, Gracie, after failed attempts to introduce the dog as the school’s therapy dog.

Alexandria Fata, a teacher at Wines Elementary School, filed the lawsuit in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, seeking the return of her “stolen property and beloved best friend” from AAPS.

The lawsuit claims that after Fata informed Principal David DeYoung of her resignation, he attempted to bully her into abandoning Gracie. When those efforts failed, DeYoung allegedly physically stole Gracie on April 29, with the help of his supervisor.

Fata expressed her frustration at not being able to see Gracie for three weeks, stating, “I’m sad to be leaving a community that I’ve been a part of for six years, but I’m also sad because throughout this process I just have not been treated fairly.”

AAPS has not commented on the status of the dog or the lawsuit, but in a letter to Fata’s attorney, the district’s attorney claimed that Fata misunderstood who owns the dog and that the district will continue to use Gracie as a therapy dog at Wines Elementary.

The lawsuit also alleges that the therapy dog program at Wines never got off the ground, with training methods causing behavioral issues in Gracie, making her ineligible to be certified as a therapy dog.

Fata is seeking the return of Gracie, compensation for the value of her property, economic damages, emotional and physical distress, and equitable relief.

The case has garnered attention, with Fata starting a GoFundMe to cover legal fees, which has raised over $14,000.

This ongoing dispute highlights the emotional bond between a teacher and her therapy dog, and the legal battle that has ensued over ownership and care of the beloved pet.