IMG Service Animals

SERVICE ANIMALS

The Wayland School Committee does not permit discrimination against individuals with disabilities, including those who require the assistance of a service animal. The Wayland Public Schools will comply with Massachusetts law concerning the rights of persons with service dogs and with federal law and will permit such animals on school premises and on school transportation.

For purposes of this policy, a service animal includes any dog or miniature horse that has been individually trained to do the work or perform functions or tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The tasks performed by the animal must be directly related to the person’s disability.. Service animals must be individually trained. A pet, therapy animal or support animal is not a service animal. The crime deterrent effect of an animal's presence, and/or the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship, does not constitute work or tasks.

There are several kinds of service animals that assist individuals with disabilities. Examples include, but are not limited to, animals that:

• assist individuals who are blind or have severe sight impairments as “seeing eye dogs” or “guide dogs;”

• alert individuals with hearing impairments to sounds;

• pull wheelchairs or carry and pick-up items for individuals with mobility impairments; and

• assist mobility-impaired individuals with balance.

Requests to permit a service animal to accompany a student or adult with a disability in school buildings, in classroom, or at school functions, will be handled on a case-by-case basis considering:

• The type, size and weight of the service animal and whether the facility can accommodate these features.

• Whether the handler has sufficient control of the service animal.

• Whether the service animal is house broken.

• Whether the service animal’s presences in a specific facility compromises legitimate safety requirements necessary for safe operation.

The Wayland Public Schools is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal. The owner or person having custody and control of the animal shall be liable for any damage to persons, premises, property, or facilities caused by the service animal, including, but not limited to, clean up, stain removal, etc.

The Wayland Public Schools can require proof of rabies vaccination and that the service animal be treated for, and kept free of, fleas and ticks. A service animal must have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control.

The Superintendent of Schools or his/her designee shall make reasonable modifications to permit the use of service animals by individuals with disabilities in school facilities and on school transportation vehicles.

SOURCE: MASC

Approved by School Committee: June 19, 2017