IM-P1 - Animals in the Schools

Animals may be brought into the school with permission of the Principal if they are to be part of a lesson or educational opportunity for students, so long as they can be effectively controlled and pose no hazard to the students.

They are to be properly cared for and under constant control and supervision by a responsible person throughout the period of time that they are on school premises.  (See also EOT-P0)

Use of Certified Service Animals

Prairie Spirit School Division recognizes that the use of certified service animals is increasing in a number of different treatment program areas in schools in North America.  The presence of a service animal requires appropriate planning and preparation before implementing the program.

Procedures

Once the school Principal has been notified of the anticipated integration of the animal to the school, the following protocol is to be implemented by Prairie Spirit School Division prior to the admittance of a service animal to the school.

These procedures will be fast-tracked should a child who uses a certified service animal come to a school during the school year.

Parent/Guardian Responsibility

It is expected that parents will advise the Division as soon as possible that a service animal is required.

1.  Upon becoming aware of the child’s need for a service animal the parents/guardians shall provide a letter to the school Principal from their medical doctor recommending the use of a certified service animal prior to the commencement of the process of Appropriate Educational Programming.

2.  Parents/guardians shall provide a letter to the school Principal outlining what they see as being the benefits of having the service animal attend school with their child.

3.  A certificate of training for the animal from the service animal organization must be provided.  All financial costs to obtain this certificate are the sole responsibility of the family.  Service animals certified by an organization inside or outside of Canada must have the certification standards verified by the Office of the Fire Commissioner.  The student handler’s ability to control the animal in a school setting must be verified by the Office of the Fire Commissioner.

4.  It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide the school with proof that the animal has its yearly vaccinations, required licenses, and is in good health.

Principal Responsibility

1.  The school Principal is responsible to facilitate with the parents arrangements and communication of such together with the anticipated timeline for introduction of a service animal to the school.

2.  The Principal shall ensure that the students, school staff, the school community and the Superintendent of Schools are informed of the anticipated presence of the certified service animal in the school.

a. A letter is to be sent home for all students and provided to all staff to inform the school community as to the arrival of a service animal to school.

b. A letter is to be sent home to the students in any of the classes where the animal will be present in case of students’ allergies or extreme phobias.

c. If transportation of the student requiring the services of the animal is required, the Principal shall inform the Transportation Supervisor of the presence of the animal on the bus and that the driver and Transportation Educational   Assistant (if applicable) will receive appropriate training.

d. A letter is to be sent to parents/guardians of all children who travel on the same bus.

e. An assembly or class visits are to be arranged to explain the role of the service animal.

3.  The Principal shall ensure a sign is placed on the doors of the school alerting visitors/emergency service providers to the animal’s presence.

4.  The Principal shall ensure that the service animal organization provides training to the student’s school team (Principal, Teacher/s, Educational Assistants, Transportation personnel) prior to the animal commencing work in the school. Training will be provided at the Division’s expense.

5.  The Principal, on behalf of the school and parents, shall submit a mutually agreed to implementation plan to the Superintendent of Schools as soon as possible prior to the introduction of the service animal to the school setting.

Resource Teacher Role and Responsibility

1.  A case conference is set up involving the Parents/Guardians, Principal, Teacher(s), School Psychologist, School Counsellor, Educational Assistant(s) (when appropriate), a representative from the service animal organization, the student (when appropriate), the Superintendent or Student Services Administrator to discuss the following:

• Ensure classroom staff are informed and involved;

• Discuss the purpose/function of the service animal;

• Advising school team of who is responsible for the care of the animal – (This rests 100% with the handler/family).  An adult from the family (or designate) must be available to take the service animal for a “bio-break” one time per day, preferably “midday” (or as agreed upon by the school team);

• Establish where is the safest and most environmentally sound place for the animal to relieve itself;

• Discuss what considerations have been made for seasonal changes (i.e., winter, summer, etc.);

• The animal should be offered water at mid-day, no water bowl should be left down at any time.  Water should be offered, then the bowl removed (determine where the animal’s water bowl is to be kept and who will fill the water bowl);

• Examine the physical arrangements in the classroom(s);

• Examine transportation arrangements, (i.e., all relevant bus procedures);

• Discuss other issues including:  Interference with delivery of academic program, possible changes to in-class routines and procedures, increased demands on resource staff and Teachers, provision of an assistant(s) to assist the student with the animal, other students or adults who are allergic to animals, recognition of children with a fear of animals;

• Review cultural sensitivity for groups who will not share space with an animal;

• Identify a date for a follow-up meeting to discuss animal handling issues/concerns; and,

• Identify a process to have questions answered as they arise.

2.  The use of a service animal should be incorporated into the IEP process.

3.  A copy of the parent letter and the medical diagnosis to which the requirement of a service animal applies,  is placed in the Pupil File.

4.  A transition-in plan is created which may involve the use of Social Stories, visits of the animal to the school/classroom, etc.

5.  The performance of the service animal is to be reviewed frequently during the phase-in process and after four weeks of full integration into the student’s school.

6.  An appropriate emergency exit plan must be put into place and the Fire Department alerted as to the existence of the animal in the school.

Transportation Supervisor’s Responsibility

1.  The Transportation Supervisor shall:

a) Inform the driver and where applicable, the transportation EA of the presence of a certified service animal on the bus; and ensure that appropriate training will be provided.

b) As part of the training procedure, the protocol for handling the certified service animal on the bus will be developed and implemented in conjunction with the animal trainer/handler that will include:

i) Location of animal during transport (should not be blocking aisles, i.e., should be under seat or in the seat compartment);

ii) The other students should receive training from the driver and/or parent of service provider to ensure the understanding of the role and function of the certified service animal as well as the procedures for handling the animal in the bus; and,

iii) A bus evacuation plan for the animal is developed and practiced.

2.  The Transportation Supervisor shall ensure that there is sufficient documentation and procedural instruction available on the bus for spare bus drivers.