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: