ANIMALS ON SCHOOL CORPORATION PROPERTY/THERAPY DOGS | Policy Manual

8390- ANIMALS ON SCHOOL CORPORATION PROPERTY

Introduction

The School Board recognizes that there are some occasions when animals may be present on School Corporation property and various reasons for those animals' presence. Additionally, employees, students, parents/guardians, vendors, and other members of the public may be accompanied at school by a service animal in accordance with Federal and Indiana law and this policy.

This policy shall apply to all animals on Corporation property, including service animals therapy dogs.

New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to accommodate individuals with disabilities accompanied by a service animal in its Corporation buildings, classrooms, and at school functions. The following policy applies to all service animals utilized by students and adults in the Corporation:

Definitions

A "service animal" is a dog, or in special circumstances a miniature horse, that is individually trained to take specific action or perform tasks to assist an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. A "service animal" does not include any species of animal, whether wild or domestic, other than a dog or miniature horse.
A "therapy dog" is an animal that provides solely emotional support, well-being, therapy, comfort, or companionship. A "ctherapy dog" does not meet the definition of a "service animal."
An "individual with a disability" is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.
A "tether" is a harness, leash, or other tether.

Policy

The Corporation permits the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability. Individuals with disabilities are permitted to be accompanied by their service animal in all areas of Corporation facilities and school functions where the individual is otherwise permitted to be. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability.
Prior to bringing the service animal to school, a Service Animal Registration Form must be completed for all individuals with a disability who wish to be accompanied by a service animal. The Corporation requests the Form be completed and delivered at least ten (10) instructional days in advance to bringing the service animal to school, in order to prepare other staff and students for the service animal’s arrival. In completing the Service Animal Registration Form, the individual or his/her parents shall explain that the service animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the service animal has been trained to perform.
The Corporation requests that the individual with a disability and/or his/her parents provide documentation supporting that the service animal is required because of a disability and that the animal has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks to assist an individual with a disability.
The Corporation is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal. At all times, a service animal shall be under the control of its handler. If the person accompanied by the service animal is unable to handle the service animal appropriately, the parent shall provide for care and supervision of the animal (either by the parent or a third party individual accompanying the animal). The parent or third party individual accompanying the animal shall be subject to all Corporation policies and procedures.
A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal's safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler's control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means). "Under control" also means that a service animal shall not be allowed to bark repeatedly in a quiet place. The handler may not allow the service animal to wander away from her and must maintain control of the animal, even if it is retrieving an item at a distance from the handler.
If a service animal is not housebroken, if the service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, if the service animal behaves in a way that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or has a history of such behavior, or if the service animal’s presence would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity, the Corporation may request that the animal be removed from the premises.
The handler is responsible for caring for and supervising the service animal, which includes toileting, feeding, watering, grooming, and veterinary care. The handler should encourage the animal to use marked toileting areas. The Corporation is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal.
Service animals must be kept free of fleas and ticks. Service animals must be appropriately clean and groomed.
Companion animals are not permitted in Corporation facilities.
All persons are prohibited by Indiana Code 35-46-3-11.5 from knowingly or intentionally interfering with the actions of a service animal or striking, tormenting, injuring or otherwise mistreating a service animal while the service animal is engaged in assisting an impaired person in navigation, assistance in performing daily activities, or alert signals regarding the onset of the person’s medical condition.
The owner and/or individual accompanied by a service animal is liable for any damage, harm, or injury caused by the service animal to other students, staff, visitors, and/or property. An individual with a disability may be charged for damage, harm, or injury caused by his/her service animal.
Service animals are subject to local animal control and public health requirements regarding vaccines, licenses, and registration. To protect the health, safety, and welfare of other students and adults, the individual with a disability and/or his/her parents must provide the Corporation annual proof of common vaccinations for dogs.
The Corporation will make a case-by-case assessment of requests to use a miniature horse with an individual with a disability. Such requests can be made to the Chief of Student Support Services.

Service Animal Registration Form

Please complete and deliver the Form, with as much information and detail as possible, to the Chief of Student Support Services at least ten (10) instructional days in advance to bringing the service animal to school, in order to prepare other staff and students for the service animal’s arrival.

Today’s Date: ___________________

Owner of Animal: ___________________________________

Student’s Name: ___________________________________

Student’s School and Grade: ___________________________________

Student’s Address and Phone Number:

______________________________________________________________________

Parent’s Name if Child under 18 years of age: ___________________________________

Proposed Date that Service Animal Will Start Service at School: ___________________

1. Is this animal a “service animal” required because of a disability? □ Yes □ No

If yes, what work or tasks has the animal been individually trained to perform?

_________________________________________________________________________

2. Type of service animal: □ Dog □ Miniature horse

3. Is the student able to fully care for and supervise their service animal? □Yes □No

If no, please describe who will be responsible for the animal’s needs (i.e., parent, third party individual):

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
4. Are there other special considerations or concerns to note?

_________________________________________________________________________

The questions below (#5-12) assist the Corporation in properly preparing for the service animal to begin service at the school. The Owner is highly encouraged to provide as much information as possible.

5. What is the breed of the service animal? _____________________________

6. How old is the service animal? _____________________________

7. How will the student and his/her service animal be transported to and from school? Are there any special concerns regarding the service animal’s response to or needs regarding vehicle transport?

_________________________________________________________________________

8. Are there any special concerns regarding the service animal’s interaction with children, adults, or a specific sex?

_________________________________________________________________________

9. Are there any special concerns regarding the service animal’s response to or needs in common areas of noise or crowds (such as the cafeteria, gymnasium, hallways, auditorium, etc.)? In areas where food is served?

_________________________________________________________________________

10. Are there any special concerns regarding the service animal’s response to or needs responding to loud noises, alarms, or sudden panic or worry by its handler or a crowd?

_________________________________________________________________________

11. Are there any special concerns regarding the service animal’s response to or needs for toileting, feeding, watering, or grooming?

_________________________________________________________________________

12. Has the service animal ever shown aggression or timid behavior during or after being trained?

_________________________________________________________________________

A current vaccination record required by Indiana law must be submitted with this Registration Form. In addition, the following documentation should be submitted with this Registration Form:

□ Documentation supporting that the service animal is required because of a disability

□ Documentation supporting that the animal has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks to assist an individual with a disability

If the student is not acting as the service animal’s handler, contact information of the Handler:

Handler’s Name: ________________________________________

Phone: ________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________

I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the terms of the Corporation’s Service Animal Policy. I acknowledge that I am liable for any damage, harm, or injury caused by the service animal to other students, staff, visitors, and/or property.

_______________________________________________ _________________
Signature: Service Animal Owner Date

THERAPY DOG INFORMATION/FORMS

"Therapy Dog": Therapy dogs are dogs who go with their owners to volunteer in settings such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes for the purpose of providing affection and comfort to aid in a particular purpose, such as healing or learning. A therapy dog in a school setting serves the function of assisting students in the learning process while providing comfort and affection to specific students or to a group of students. Therapy dogs are not service dogs and do not have the same special access as service dogs. (source: American Kennel Club/AKC)

Vaccination, Licensing and/or Veterinary Requirements and Appropriate Training Verification

ALLOWING CERTIFIED THERAPY DOGS ON CORPORATION GROUNDS

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs are the personal property of the handler and are specially trained to help all students in the assigned classroom, program, or school. Authorization for a therapy dog to be on Corporation grounds may be granted by the Superintendent and building principal provided the following conditions are met each year:

Documentation of certification as a therapy dog from the AKC, Intermountain Therapy Animals (R.E.A.D.), Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Love on a Leash, Pet Partners, Therapy Dogs International, or another certification program recognized by the AKC.
Documentation of an educational purpose for the therapy dog and a regular appraisal period for continuation.
Documentation that the therapy dog is not younger than one (1) year-old and is properly licensed according to local requirements.
Documentation from a licensed veterinarian that the therapy dog is current on its vaccinations and immunizations, is free of fleas and ticks, is in good health, is housebroken, and does not pose a danger to the well-being of students or staff.
Documentation of an insurance policy that provides liability insurance for the therapy dog while on Corporation grounds.
Documentation that the handler has completed a background check consistent with Board policy and is prepared to be solely responsible for the therapy dog, its care, cleaning, feeding, and cleanup while on Corporation grounds.
Agreement that the therapy dog and handler will abide by school rules and any specific rules for the therapy dog's presence on Corporation grounds.

Authorization for a therapy dog to be on Corporation grounds will be suspended if the therapy dog is the source of an allergic reaction, causes discomfort or distress of a student or staff member, shows aggression or disruptive behavior, relieves itself inappropriately, or otherwise interferes with the learning environment. Reinstatement of authorization for the therapy dog to be on Corporation grounds requires approval by the Superintendent. Authorization for a therapy dog to be on Corporation grounds may be withdrawn at any time by the Superintendent.

Parent/Guardian Notification of Therapy Dog:

The building principal will send out notifications via email to all parents/guardians of students in the building who host the therapy dog program in order to ensure full awareness of the program and to deter potential liability exposure. Parents/Guardians will be given the opportunity to have their child opt out of the program.

Humane Treatment of Animals

Animals kept on school premises shall be treated humanely and shall not be subjected to cruel treatment or housed in unsanitary or unnecessarily restrictive conditions. For purposes of this provision, "humanely" includes the provision of adequate food and fresh water, and the term "animal" means a sentient creature capable of assessing and responding to its environment.

Animals admitted or housed on Corporation property or brought on Corporation property for any school purpose, such as to conduct random searches for illegal substances or to support classroom activities, or brought onto Corporation property on a regular basis for any purpose, therapy dogs, must meet every veterinary health and inoculation requirement set forth in State law and local regulation or ordinance, including but not limited to a current rabies vaccination.

Revised 11/14/16
Revised 6/24/24
T.C. 3/3/25