Code No.: 606.10
ANIMALS IN THE CLASSROOM
Live animals will not be allowed in school district facilities except under special circumstances and only for an educational purpose. Permission from the principal will be required of anyone wishing to bring an animal into school district facilities. Appropriate supervision of animals is required when animals are brought into the school district facilities.
The person bringing the animal must furnish transportation for the animal brought to school. Animals will not be allowed to travel to and from the student’s attendance center on the school bus without prior approval from the principal.
It is the responsibility of the principal to determine appropriate supervision of animals in the classroom.
The Anamosa Community School District acknowledges its responsibility to permit students and/or adults with disabilities to be accompanied by a “service animal” in its school buildings, on school vehicles, and at school functions to ensure that individuals with disabilities are permitted to participate in and benefit from district programs, activities and services, and to ensure that the district does not discriminate on the basis of disability.
Service Animal
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) a service animal is defined as being individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. If an animal meets this definition then it is considered a service animal under the ADA regardless of whether it has been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Therapy Dog
The school district supports the use of therapy dogs by qualified personnel (“Owner/Handler”) for the benefit of its students subject to the conditions of this policy. A “therapy dog” is a dog that has been individually trained and certified to work with its Owner/Handler to provide emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship to school district students. Therapy dogs are not “service animals” as defined under the ADA. A therapy 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/Handler and are not owned by the school district.
Owner/Handler is defined as the individual who both owns the dog and serves as the primary handler during its presence in school facilities and is an employee of the district.
Legal Reference: Iowa Code § 279.8 (2013).
Approved 3/7/16
Revised 8/21/17
