Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student's attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It is the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom. This policy is not intended to address the use of service animals, assistive animals, therapy animals or emotional support animals on District property.
Approved: May 20, 2024
Reviewed/Revised:
Guidelines for Use of Professional Therapy Dogs
ROLE AND PURPOSE OF CERTIFIED ASSISTANCE DOG TEAMS:
Professional therapy dogs certified with their owners/handlers as certified assistance dog teams provide emotional and physical support in educational settings. These highly trained dogs model good behavior, tolerance, and acceptance. All certified assistance dog teams in the Interstate 35 Community School District work to support and positively influence student achievement.
DEFINITION, CERTIFICATION, AND APPROVAL FOR USE OF THERAPY DOGS:
Professional therapy dogs are trained and tested to provide specific physical or therapeutic functions under the direction and control of a qualified handler who works with the dog as a team, and as part of the handler’s occupation or profession. A professional therapy dog has been temperament tested by a trainer affiliated with an organization recognized as qualified to perform temperament testing. Therapy dogs, along with their handlers, perform services in institutional settings, community-based group settings, or with individuals who have disabilities. Therapy dogs are not family pets that have been certified as pet therapy animals. Refer to page 3: Pet Visitation Dogs.
Professional therapy dogs have passed a public access test administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by the Interstate 35 School District. Handlers and their dogs are administered the public access test for re-evaluation during their first year of service. The public access test may be administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by the district.
Professional therapy dogs are owned by a professional educator in the district who wishes to use a therapy dog to augment their educational program. Professional therapy dogs may be used in school settings on a regular basis once the following documentation is in place: Professional Therapy Dog Vital Information Policy 606.03E2
Use of a therapy dog must be approved by the building administrator in which the handler works. A letter stating administrator approval should be kept on file in the building in which the handler works and a copy sent to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
Supervision and Care
A therapy dog must be under the control of the handler (or designee assigned by the handler) at all times. The handler is solely responsible for the supervision and care of the therapy dog, including any feeding, exercising, and clean up while the animal is in a school building or on school property. The District is not responsible for providing any care, supervision, or assistance for a therapy dog.
a. All staff members who handle the therapy dog need to be properly trained.
b. No students shall handle or be left alone with the therapy dog.
c. If any student or school employee assigned to a classroom in which a therapy dog is permitted
suffers an allergic reaction to the therapy dog, the handler of the animal will remove the
animal to a different location designated by the Principal.
Training and Certification
To be considered an appropriate therapy dog under this policy, proof of the following qualifications and certifications must be provided to the building administrator prior to approval:
● A professional therapy dog has been temperament tested by a trainer affiliated with an
organization recognized as qualified to perform temperament testing.
● Professional therapy dogs have passed a public access test administered by a
trainer/evaluator recognized by the Interstate 35 School District. Handlers and their dogs
are administered the public access test for re-evaluation during their first year of service.
The public access test may be administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by the district. A copy of the public access test certificate of completion shall be kept on file in the building in which the handler works and a copy sent to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee. Certification verifying that both the handler and therapy dog passed the public access test must be sent to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
● Any records of advanced obedience, agility, or other training shall be provided to the building administrator and kept on file in the building in which the handler works and a copy sent to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
Approved: May 20, 2024
Reviewed/Revised:
The owner/handler must provide a record of annual vaccinations received by the therapy dog and signed by a licensed veterinarian. These health records should be kept on file in the building in which the handler works and a copy sent to Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
The therapy dog should receive an annual Bordetella vaccination. Rabies and five-way Parvo/Distemper (DAPPv) shall be administered every three years. Note: therapy dogs less than one year of age or receiving their rabies and parvo vaccinations for the first time shall receive a follow-up vaccine in one year with administration every three years thereafter.
The therapy dog should receive an annual comprehensive wormer or fecal check.
The therapy dog should be checked for external parasite control.
Owners/handlers will administer preventative parasite (flea and tick) control and heartworm medication year-round. Annual tests for heartworms is recommended. Note: Frontline Plus is recommended due to its non-toxic nature which is important in a school environment.
The therapy dog should be groomed and bathed regularly. For dogs in a working environment, monthly to bi-monthly baths are recommended as is daily brushing. Good judgment should be used based on the dog’s hair, skin, and dander concerns. The owner/handler must also ensure proper health care through regular brushing of the dog’s teeth (several times weekly), nail trims as needed, and weekly ear cleaning/checks.
Public Access Test Documentation:
A copy of the public access test certificate of completion should be kept on file in the building in which the handler works and a copy sent to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
Certification verifying that both the handler and therapy dog passed the public access test must be sent by the certifying institution directly to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
Records of advanced obedience, agility, or other trainings should be kept on file in the building in which the handler works and a copy sent to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
Review of Guidelines and Procedures:
Guidelines and procedures for the use of professional therapy dogs will be reviewed annually with staff and students at the beginning of the academic year.
Guidelines and procedures for the use of professional therapy dogs will be reviewed as needed throughout the year as determined by the building administrator, handler, and Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
The privilege to bring the therapy dog into the school setting may be terminated should the owner/handler or the dog behave in a way deemed unprofessional or unsafe.
When a professional educator in the district uses a professional therapy dog according to the above guidelines, the building in which the handler works and the professional educator will be covered by the district’s general liability coverage.
PET VISITATION DOGS: A pet visitation dog is owned by a volunteer or student who is not employed by the Interstate 35 Community School District, but who has received registration and/or recognition for volunteer pet visitation. These dogs are not considered to be professional therapy dogs.
For a dog to be used on a volunteer basis these guidelines must be followed:
If the handler of the dog is an employee of the district, the handler and dog must be certified under the professional therapy dog guidelines listed above.
The dog may be used on no more than one visitation per week for a two-hour interval. Should the dog be used more often or for longer periods the dog must pass all requirements for professional therapy dog status before it may be used in the schools.
The following documentation must be kept on file in the office of the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.
and in the building in which the pet visitation dog is used:
Current certification/registration from the therapy dog organization administering the evaluation and testing.
Current veterinary records of worming schedules and annual vaccinations for five-way Parvo/Distemper (DHPP) and Bordetella, as well as rabies vaccinations every three years.
Proof of insurance.
Letter of approval from the building administrator.
If you have questions about the therapy dog program please contact:
Superintendent’s Office
405 E North Street, Truro, IA 50257
641-765-4291
Approved: May 20, 2024
Revised/Reviewed:
Professional Therapy Dog Vital Information
(All documentation to be filed in the building in which the Professional Therapy Dog’s owner works and with the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s Designee.)
Professional Dog Owner ____________________________________________________
Professional Dog Handler ___________________________________________________
Professional Therapy Dog ___________________________________________________
Secondary/Alternative Handler _______________________________________________
School (s) in which the dog will be used ________________________________________
Dog Handler’s Certification Date ______________________________________________
Name of Organization Certifying ______________________________________________
Date of Recertification_______________________________________________________
Emergency Contact Person and Phone No for the dog
Therapy Dog’s Veterinarian and Phone No. _______________________________________
Dog’s Date of Birth __________________________________________________________
Last Health Check ___________________________________________________________
Annual Worm Check _________________________________________________________
Bordetella __________________________________________________________________
Rabies Vaccine Date _________________________________________________________
Parvo/Distemper Date ________________________________________________________
Note: Five-way Parvo/Distemper (DAPPv) updated annually and rabies vaccinations shall be updated every three years; dogs less than a year of age or receiving vaccinations for the first time shall receive follow-up in one year, with rabies vaccinations every three years thereafter.
Verification of preventative parasite control (fleas and ticks) as well as heartworm medication is given year-round.
Owner’s Signature
Approved: May 20, 2024
Reviewed/Revised:
Professional Therapy Dog Handler Best Practice