Policy 606.3R1FC Guidelines for the Use of Professional Therapy Dogs

The Role and Purpose of Certified Assistance Dog Teams in Forest City Schools:

Professional School Therapy Dogs certified with their owners/handlers as Certified Assistance Dog Teams provide emotional and physical support in the educational setting. These highly trained dogs model good behavior, tolerance, and acceptance. All Certified Assistance Dog Teams in the Forest City Community School District work to support and positively influence student achievement.

Professional Therapy Dogs - definition: Professional therapy dogs are dogs trained and tested to provide specific physical or therapeutic functions under the direction and control of a qualified handler who works with the dog as a team, and as a part of the handler’s occupation or profession.
1. A professional therapy dog has been temperament tested by a trainer affiliated with an organization recognized as qualified to do temperament testing.
  1. Such dogs, with their handlers, perform such functions in institutional settings, community-based group settings, or when providing services to specific persons who have disabilities.
  2. Professional therapy dogs in the Forest City Community Schools are not family pets that have been certified as pet therapy animals. (See section III, “Pet Visitation”)
2. Professional therapy dogs have passed a Public Access Test administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by Forest City Community Schools for this purpose. Currently, professional therapy dogs for Forest City Community Schools are trained through Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
  1. Handlers and their dogs will be administered the Public Access Test for re-evaluation during their first year of service and then every two years after.
    1. The Public Access re-tests may be administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by Forest City Community Schools..
    2. A certificate showing that the re-test has been taken should be kept in the handler’s building and in the office of the Board Secretary.
  2. Professional therapy dogs are owned by a professional educator in Forest City Community Schools who wishes to use a professional therapy dog to augment his/her educational program.
    1. See attached Therapy Dog Handler Ethics
    2. See attached documentation requirements (checklist of information) for Certified Assistance Dog Teams in the Forest City Community Schools.
3. Professional Therapy Dogs may be used in the school setting on a regular basis when the following documentation is in place:
  1. Administrative Approval
    1. The use of the animal or animals must be approved by the administrator(s) of the building(s) in which the Professional Therapy Dog’s handler works.
    2. A letter stating this approval should be written and kept on file in the building. A copy should be sent to the Board Secretary.
  2. Health Records and Hygiene/Animal Care
    1. The owner/handler must provide a record of annual vaccinations received by the dog and signed by a veterinarian; these health records should be kept on file in the school building and in the office of the Board Secretary.
      1. The dog should receive vaccinations recommended by the veterinarian.
      2. The dog should be given a comprehensive wormer or fecal check for worms annually.
      3. The dog should be checked for external parasite control.
      4. All owners will give preventive parasite (fleas and ticks) control and heartworm medication year-round. Annual tests for heartworm are recommended. Please note: Frontline Plus is recommended by the veterinarian on Forest City Community Schools’ professional therapy dog committee – this is due to its non-toxic nature, which is important in a school environment.
      5. The dog should be groomed and bathed regularly. For dogs in a working environment, monthly to bi-monthly baths are recommended as is daily brushing. (Good judgment should be used based on the dog’s hair, skin, and dander concerns.) The owner/handler must also ensure proper health care through regular (several times weekly) brushing of the dog’s teeth, regular nail trimming as needed, and weekly cleaning/checks of the dog’s ears.
  3. Public Access Test Documentation
    1. A copy of the Public Access Test certificate of completion should be kept on file in the school building and in the office of the Board Secretary.
    2. A certificate certifying that the handler and the dog both passed the Public Access Test must be sent by the certifying institution to the Board Secretary.
    3. Records of advanced obedience, agility, or other training may be kept updated in the employee’s file.
4. Review of Professional School Therapy Dog Guidelines and Procedures:
  1. Professional Therapy Dog guidelines and procedures will be reviewed annually with all staff and students at the start of the academic year.
  2. Review of guidelines and procedures will take place as needed (determined by the administrator and dog owner/handler) throughout the year

Oversight Committee
1. A committee of objective persons knowledgeable in the use of therapy dogs is established to help with issues and questions that may arise concerning handlers or dogs.
  1. The present members of the committee are:
    1. Guidance Counselor and Professional Therapy Dog Handler
    2. Professional Therapy Dog Owners in the Forest City Community Schools
    3. Parent Representative
    4. District and/or Building Administrator (on-call)
    5. Local veterinarian (on-call)
  2. Concerns should be directed to the district administrator who will address the issues with the Oversight Committee.
2. The purpose of the Oversight Committee will be to:
  1. Provide ongoing training for Professional Therapy Dogs and handlers.
  2. Provide general assistance with questions and answers pertinent to use of Professional Therapy Dogs.
  3. Review Professional Therapy Dog policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  4. Educate and communicate with the school community regarding the use and value of Professional Therapy Dogs.
Pet Visitation Dogs – definition: A pet visitation dog is a dog owned by a volunteer or student who is NOT employed by Forest City Community Schools but who has received registration and/or recognition for volunteer pet visitation.
1. These dogs are NOT considered to be Professional Therapy Dogs.
2. For a dog to be used on a volunteer basis, these guidelines must be followed:
  1. If the handler of the dog is an employee of Forest City Community Schools, the dog and handler MUST be certified under the Professional Therapy Dog guidelines listed above.
  2. The dog may be used no more often than one visitation per week for a two-hour interval of time.
    1. Should the dog be used more often or for longer periods, it must pass all requirements for Professional Therapy Dog status before it may be used at school.
3. The following documents must be kept on file in the office of the Board Secretary and the building(s) in which the pet visitation dog is used.
  1. Current certification /registration from the therapy dog organization doing the evaluation and testing. Only dogs registered with Therapy Dogs International (DI)P, Therapy Dogs Incorporated (TDInc.) or Delta Society Pet Partners are allowed.
  2. Current veterinary records of worming schedules and annual vaccinations as recommended by the veterinarian.
  3. Proof of insurance.
  4. A letter of approval from the building administrator(s).
The privilege to bring the dog into the school setting may be terminated should the handler or dog behave in a way deemed unprofessional or unsafe.
When an educator uses a professional therapy dog according to the above guidelines, the educator will be covered by their private insurance policy (minimum $1 million liability coverage).

Approved: 12-12-22
Reviewed:
Revised:

kheidemann@for… Sun, 12/11/2022 - 20:37