Therapy/Facility Dog Policy
Properly trained staff members may request a waiver of the district’s policy prohibiting dogs in school buildings for the sole purpose of utilizing therapy/facilities dog in the course of their job duties. A therapy/facility dog may be used by a staff member only upon written permission by the Superintendent or their designee (Policy EJ-1-E). The request for a waiver must be accompanied by the following:
- Proof that both the therapy/facility dog handler and the therapy/facility dog are certified by a national organization.
- Proof of current vaccination of the therapy/facility dog. At a minimum, the dog must have current Rabies, Distemper, and Parvovirus vaccinations.
- Proof that the dog handler is covered by liability insurance at the appropriate level to cover any damages to persons, premises, or facilities caused by the therapy/facility dog.
- A statement by the staff member of the instructional purpose tied to the district’s curriculum that the therapy/facility dog will serve.
- A statement by the therapy/facility dog handler that the therapy/facility dog does not present a danger to students or staff members.
- A plan describing how the therapy/facility dog will be removed from the school immediately should the therapy/facility dog become out of control, display vicious behaviors, or otherwise pose a threat to the health and safety of anyone.
- A plan for how the staff member will provide for the care and control of the therapy/facility dog, including how the dog will be harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
- A plan for keeping the therapy/facility dog in the staff member’s office or classroom.
- A plan for how the staff member will accommodate students and staff members with allergies and severe fears to the therapy/facility dog.
A revocable waiver of the policy may be granted by the district only if it is determined that the therapy/facility dog and the handler meet the above-listed criteria, that the therapy/facility dog is educationally appropriate, and that the required plans are reasonable. An approved waiver may be revoked at any time by the Superintendent or their designee in the event the dog becomes disruptive, poses a threat to the health and safety of anyone, or no longer serves the defined educational purpose. Only district staff members may obtain waivers under this policy. Students, parents, volunteers, and other community members may not apply for a waiver.
Adopted: November 2024
LEGAL REFS.:
20 U.S.C. § 1400, et. seq. (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
42 U.S.C. § 12101, et. seq. (Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act) 28 C.F.R. § 35.104, 35.136 (Americans with Disabilities Act)
34 C.F.R. part 104 (Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973) 34 C.F.R. part 300 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
C.R.S. § 24-34-803 (Rights of individuals with Assistance Dogs)
CROSS REF.:
AC, Nondiscrimination/Equal Opportunity
Lake County School District R-1, Leadville, Colorado