IMG-A Therapy Dogs

The District supports the use of therapy dogs for the benefit of its students subject to the conditions of this policy. 

Therapy Dog. A “therapy dog” is a dog that has been individually trained and certified to work with its Owner to provide emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship to school district students and staff. Therapy dogs are not “service animals” as that term is used in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The dog must be well-behaved and have a temperament that is suitable for interaction with students and others in a public school. Therapy dogs are personal property of the Owner and are not owned by the school district. 

Although “therapy animals” are not legally defined or protected, the District recognizes the many benefits of animal-assisted therapy in helping children with disabilities build self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and develop self-regulation. 

Standards and Procedures. The following requirements must be satisfied before a therapy dog will be allowed in school buildings or on school grounds: 

Request. An Owner who wants to bring a therapy dog to school must obtain the permission of the building Principal. 

Training and Certification. The animal must be certified by a recognized organization such as Therapy Dog International. The Owner must submit appropriate certification as determined by the Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee. The certification must be current at all times. 

Health and Vaccination. The therapy dog must be clean, well-groomed, in good health, housebroken, and immunized against diseases common to dogs. Therapy dogs must be treated for, and kept free of, fleas and ticks. The Owner must submit proof of current licensure from the local licensing authority and proof of the therapy dog’s current vaccinations and immunizations from a licensed veterinarian. 

Control. A therapy dog must be under the control of the Owner through the use of a leash or other tether unless the use of a leash or other tether would interfere with the therapy dog’s safe, effective performance of its work or tasks. However, the therapy dog must be under the Owner’s control at all times. 

Identification. The therapy dog must have appropriate identification identifying it as a therapy dog. 

No Disruption. The therapy dog must not disrupt the educational process by barking, seeking attention, or any other behavior. 

Health and Safety. The therapy dog must not pose a severe health and safety risk to any student, employee, or other person at school.

Supervision and Care of Therapy Dogs. The Owner of the therapy dog is identified as a non-student adult. The Owner 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. 

Authorized Areas. The Owner shall only allow the therapy dog to be in areas in school buildings or on school property that are authorized by school district administrators. 

Insurance. The Owner must submit a copy of an insurance policy that provides liability coverage for the therapy dog while on school property (minimum of $1,000,000), including proof that the District is named as an additional insured on the policy. 

Notification. Upon approval from the superintendent, notice would be sent to families indicating the dog’s presence at the school. 

Exclusion or Removal from School. A therapy dog may be excluded from school property and buildings if a school administrator determines that: 

1. The Owner does not have control of the therapy dog; 

2. The therapy dog is not housebroken; 

3. The therapy dog presents a direct or immediate health or safety threat to others in the school; 

4. The therapy dog’s presence otherwise interferes with the educational process; or for any other discretionary reason consistent with this policy and the District’s responsibility to provide for the safety and education of its students, employees, and visitors. The Owner shall be required to remove the therapy dog from the school premises immediately upon such a determination. 

Allergies. 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 Owner of the animal will be required to remove the animal to a different location designated by an administrator. 

Damages to School Property and Injuries. The Owner of a therapy dog is solely responsible and liable for any damage to school property or injury to personnel, students, or others caused by the therapy dog. 

Therapy Dog in Training. This policy shall also be applicable to therapy dogs in training that are accompanied by a bona fide trainer.

Approved by School Committee: March 26, 2025