ICHABOD CRANE 4855
SOCIAL SERVICE DOGS
The school district supports the use of social service dogs by teachers or other qualified school personnel (“owner/handler”) for the benefit of its students subject to the conditions of this policy.
A ‘Social Service Dog’ is a dog that has been individually trained and certified to work with its owners/handlers to provide emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship to school district students. Social Service Dogs, for the purposes of this policy, are not “service animals” as that term is used in the American with Disabilities Act.
Social Service Dogs are personal property of the teacher or employee and are not owned by the school district. Only district sponsored service dogs are allowed on school property.
Social Service Dog Standards and Procedures. The following requirements must be satisfied before a social service dog will be admitted into the district sponsored social service dog program and allowed in school buildings or on school grounds:
Requests:
All individuals who wish to apply for a district sponsored social service dog in training will have to fill out the application which will be reviewed by the Social Service Dog Program Committee established by the superintendent for that purpose. (A copy of the application is attached.) An interview will also be required. After completion of the application and interview, a recommendation will be made to the superintendent to deny or accept the request.
Training and Certification:
The owner must follow all training recommendations from the Committee. This will include Puppy Socialization Class, American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog International Certification for Social Service Dogs. The owner must submit a copy of each certification to Central Office annually. The certifications must remain current at all times that the Social Service Dog is present in any Ichabod Crane Schools.
Health and Vaccinations:
The social service dog must be clean, well groomed, in good health and immunized against diseases common to dogs. Initially, the owner must submit proof of current licensure from the local licensing authority and proof of social service dog’s current vaccinations and immunizations from a licensed veterinarian.
Control:
A social service dog must be under the control of the teacher or school employee through the use of a leash or other tether unless the use of a leash or tether would interfere with the social service dog’s safe, effective performance of its work or tasks.
Identification
The social service dog must have appropriate identification clearly indicating that it is a social service dog.
No Disruption
The social service dog must not disrupt the educational process by barking, seeking attention, or engaging in any other disruptive behavior.
Health and Safety
The social service dog must not pose a health and safety risk to any student, employee, or other person at school.
Supervision and Care of Social Service Dogs
The owner is solely responsible for the supervision and care of the social service dog, including any feeding, exercising, and clean up while the animal is in a school building or on school property. The school district is not responsible for providing any care, supervision, or assistance for a social service dog. Social service dogs that are part of the Ichabod Crane Central Schools social service dog program will be required to have designated ‘co-handlers’ whose role it will be to assist with the care of the dog and its integration into the entire school community.
Authorized Area(s)
The owner shall only allow the social service dog to be in areas in school buildings or on school property that are authorized by school district administrators.
Insurance
District sponsored social service dogs are covered under the district’s insurance policy.
Exclusion or Removal from School
A social service dog may be excluded from school property and buildings if a school administrator determines that:
1. A handler does not have control of the social service dog;
2. The social service dog presents a direct and immediate threat to others in the school; or
3. The animal’s presence otherwise interferes with the educational process.
The owner shall be required to remove the social service dog from school premises immediately upon such a determination.
Allergic Reactions
If a student or school employee assigned to a classroom in which a social service dog is permitted suffers an allergic reaction to the social service dog, the owner of the animal will be required to remove the animal to a different location, designated by an administrator.
Effective Date: February 7, 2017
ICHABOD CRANE 4855-E
SOCIAL SERVICE DOGS EXHIBIT
SOCIAL SERVICE DOG PROGRAM REQUEST FORM
______________________________ _____________________________
Name of Main Owner/Handler Name of Dog/Breed
_________________________________________ _____________________
School Building Where Dog Will Primarily Be Used Date
Name of one ‘co-handler’ (colleague who is willing to support the main owner in the role of trainer/handler): __________________________________________________________
As an owner/handler of a social service dog through Ichabod’s Social Service Dog program, you are required to adhere to the following rules:
*Dog must participate in the following training classes (with proof of certification attached):
- Puppy Socialization Class
- Canine Good Citizenship
- Therapy Dog International
*Owner/handler must provide the district with proof of current licensure from the local licensing authority and proof of current vaccinations/immunizations from a licensed veterinarian
*Dog must be kept on the leash at all times while in the building; unless the use of the leash would interfere with the social service dog’s safe, effective performance of its work or tasks
*You, as the owner/handler, are responsible for polling the parents and staff and responding to concerns regarding fears and allergies
*You, as the owner/handler, will be responsible for all veterinarian bills.
*You, as the owner/handler, have recruited at least one co-worker to be on your team to train and meet the needs of this dog during the day.
*You, as the owner/handler, will work closely with all staff interested in utilizing the dog to learn how to handle the dog
*You, as the owner/handler, will offer short informative sessions for the students and staff about how to interact with the dog.
*You, as the owner/handler, will participate and help coordinate fundraising events in order to raise money for the program.
If you agree to all of the above rules, please sign below:
_____________________________________________________________
*Please describe your home situation, include any information pertinent to housing a dog. Eg: Fenced in backyard, other animals in the house, children in the house, support from family to train a dog, etc.
*Please tell us why you would like to participate in the district’s social service dog program.
*Please tell us in what capacity, you will use a social service dog in your position.
*Please tell us if you have any experience in working with or training a dog.
Effective Date: February 7, 2017