Schoolwide Therapy Dogs

The presence of schoolwide therapy dogs provides many opportunities for addressing and supporting the social-emotional growth of students. Each school desiring to have a schoolwide therapy dog must complete an application and be granted approval from both the Region Superintendent and the Risk Management Department. The dog is the responsibility of one individual and that person, as the dog’s handler must be trained to identify signs and triggers of distress for their dogs. 

Please note that schoolwide therapy dogs are not service dogs or emotional support dogs. 

Step-by-Step Protocol (No Exception Made)

• Complete the schoolwide therapy dog application. The application requires the following items to be addressed, as a prerequisite for approval. All schoolwide therapy dogs are required to follow the application process, regardless of their use in prior school years. No exceptions will be made.

  • The dog is schoolwide therapy-certified. Obedience training is not sufficient. 

  • The schoolwide therapy dog is registered annually with a certified organization and must maintain liability insurance for the handler and the schoolwide therapy dog. Clark County School District (CCSD) does not certify or endorse any insurance plan. The handler must work with the Risk Management Department to secure the proper levels of insurance. 

  • Description of how the dog will be used on campus to support the social-emotional well-being of students and staff. 

  • Description of the methods used to meet the requirements of the certified organization with regard to handling the schoolwide therapy dog. The schoolwide therapy dog must wear a tag with the name of the organization providing the required certification. A collar tag, harness, vest, or leash should be worn while performing schoolwide therapy services. A leash is mandatory if the dog is not responding to verbal commands. 

  • A communication plan must be distributed to families and students notifying them there is a dog on campus and providing an avenue to express concerns.

  • The communication plan of responsibility/expectations for the schoolwide therapy dog:

    • Who is the individual caretaker?

    • What is the emergency plan?

    • Who is the backup caretaker?

    • Where will the dog be housed?

    • Where is the dog to eat and eliminate?

    • What is the process for ensuring that the area is clean and health standards are maintained?

• Distribution of the description of use, responsibilities of the dog handler, as well as the communication plan will be submitted to the Region superintendent for approval and then will be reviewed by the Risk Management Department. 

Evaluation, Certification, and Annual Registration

The following organizations provide evaluation, certification, and registration for schoolwide therapy dogs. CCSD requires a therapy dog certification and annual registration from one of the following organizations. 

• Alliance of Therapy Dogs (Formerly Therapy Dogs, Inc.)

• Angel Paws

• Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs

• Love on a Leash

• Pet Partners (Previously Delta Society)

• Therapy Dogs International

Removal

Principals must remove the schoolwide therapy dog from school grounds if:

1. The handler does not maintain control of the schoolwide therapy dog. 

2. The schoolwide therapy dog is not housebroken.

3. The schoolwide therapy dog poses a direct threat to the health or safety of students, staff, or the community.

4. At no time should more than one dog be present on site at a time. If a handler has multiple dogs that have been approved for use as a schoolwide therapy dog, they will rotate services so that only one dog is present on campus at a time. 

5. Removal of a schoolwide therapy dog permanently versus temporarily will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the principal with input from the principal supervisor and Risk Management Department.

Further Instructions for Schoolwide Therapy Dogs 

• Schoolwide therapy dogs are not allowed in the vicinity of sinks where children wash their hands; in any area where food is prepared or stored; or in areas used to store food, utensils, or dishes.

• Schoolwide therapy dogs are not permitted to roam the school campus. 

Not sure if you have a Service Animal, Emotional Support Animal or a Schoolwide Thereapy Dog? 

Use the Comparison chart below

Resources:

Application

Admin Guide

Step-by-Step Protocol 

Schoolwide Therapy Dogs Regulation 2500.2

Service Animals, Emotional Support Animals, and Schoolwide Therapy Dogs Protocols Comparison Chart

Policy 2410 Safety

NRS 439.200 Sanitary food and water supply

NRS 444.335 Health authority to supervise sanitation of certain local institutions, regulations, inspections, and reports.