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Discrimination lawsuit at University of Nebraska at Kearney over therapy dog

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A federal judge has rescheduled the trial for a Justice Department housing discrimination lawsuit against the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

The lawsuit alleges that university officials violated the U.S. Fair Housing Act when they denied a student the chance to keep a therapy dog in her university-owned apartment. The student says she needed the 4-pound miniature pinscher to cope with depression and anxiety.

The university bans all pets except for fish in its residence halls and apartments, unless the student has a disability that requires a service animal or works on staff. University officials are fighting the lawsuit, saying it could open the door to legions of pets and exotic animals.

The trial was moved from January to June 2013 at the federal courthouse in Lincoln.

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