Garfield Re-2 Policies

JLIK

Animal-Assisted Education

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to allow therapy dogs to be taken into schools to provide therapy to students. For example, a therapy dog may visit a classroom to promote a student to read to the dog. 

 

A therapy dog provides therapeutic support to people other than its handler. Therapy dogs do not have federally granted legal access to the types of public areas afforded to service dogs. In order to receive permission to bring a therapy dog to a RE2 school, please fill out the following form. (THIS FORM HAS TO BE SUBMITTED WITH PROPER PAPERWORK EVERY NEW SCHOOL YEAR)

 

Definitions

 

Therapy Dog

The major difference with therapy dogs is that their handlers do not necessarily have disabilities, and therapy dogs are envisioned to visit students to provide a form of therapy. Therapy dogs are not service dogs and are not required to be allowed into places of public accommodation unless the person who owns the therapy dog also has a disability and a disability-related need for the dog.

 

Service Dog

The district will comply with Colorado law and federal regulations concerning the rights of persons with service animals and will permit service animals on school premises and on school transportation in accordance with 28 CFR §35.136, and related regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act, C.R.S. §24-34-803, 804, and §40-9-109, and policy JLIF.

Pets are the final catch-all classification and include all animals that any person, with or without a disability, may have if they do not fall into one of the other categories above. Pets do not have to be allowed in places unless the school district allows for pets – this applies regardless of the context.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL THERAPY DOGS

• PLEASE SCAN IN ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BEFORE FILLING OUT THE FORM. 
• Proof of Liability Insurance
• Therapy Dog Certification
• Vaccination Record
• A copy of the current Dog Health Screening from a local veterinarian

 

INFORMATION FOR HANDLERS / OWNERS REQUESTING A THERAPY DOG AT SCHOOL

The success of the implementation of a therapy dog program that is tied into the curriculum depends on clear communication, a well-informed school community, and careful planning. The 

 

handler’s information provided will assist the school principal and administrative staff in making the best possible decision. The handler’s information will be filed in records at school.

Handlers are required to participate in meetings requested by the school principal.

 

Given the safety and protection of students and staff, which is necessary for the safe operation of the school, the school may revoke access because:

 

• The therapy dog is not under control at all times,
• The therapy dog is not housebroken,
• The therapy dog is not on a leash or tether at all times,
• The therapy dog poses a direct threat to the health of any student, staff member or any other person at school.
• The therapy dog's presence otherwise interferes with the educational program,
• A staff member or student shows anxiety while the therapy dog is present,
• The handler brought the therapy dog to school without prior submitting and authorizing appropriate paperwork to the school principal.
• The handler fails to follow the permission procedure and the school principal's instructions.

 

The therapy dog handler is solely liable for any damage to persons, premises, or facilities that was caused by the therapy dog. The therapy dog handler will hold the district, its employees, or agents harmless for any injury. 

 

The information the therapy dog handler provides will help the school principal and appropriate staff implement therapy dog requests. It is important to provide the information that addresses the safety of the students and staff. For example, the school principal needs to know that the therapy dog has no history of nipping, biting, or growling at children or adults, nor exhibits aggressive protective behaviors.

 

The well-being of the therapy dog is very important. Its care, handling, and training needs to be addressed, and the handler’s input is valuable. The school principal also needs to know what other resources are available to facilitate the transition to school and the implementation of the plan. Strategies for becoming familiar with the building and school grounds, and an introduction to staff rooms (if applicable) must be included in the planning to be as consistent and fair to the therapy dog as possible. NOTE:  A school is not a training facility for therapy dogs that have not finished their training. The training itself needs to happen outside of school. The handler needs to be in full control before a transition training with the dog can be considered and integrated in the plan.

The school principal, with assistance, will use a communication plan that informs students, staff, and community members as appropriate. 

 

Once the necessary information has been received, the school principal will consult with the superintendent prior to admittance and implementation of the therapy dog program. The ultimate decision of offering a Therapy Dog Program will lie with the school principal.

 

Adoption date:   October 11, 2023

 

LEGAL REFS.: C.R.S. §24-34-803, 804

C.R.S.§40-9-109

28 CFR §35.136

28 CFR §35.139

 

CROSS REFS.: JLIF Service Animal Policy

 

Garfield School District No. Re-2, Rifle, Colorado