Purpose
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. Therapy dogs have been shown to lower feelings of isolation and alienation, encourage communication, provide comfort, increase socialization, reduce anxiety, aid children in overcome speech and emotional disorders, and reduce loneliness. All Certified Assistance Dog Teams in the Burlington Community School District work to support and positively influence student achievement.
Professional Therapy Dogs – Definition
1) Professional therapy dogs are dogs trained and tested to provide specific physical and 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.
a. A professional therapy dog has been temperament tested by a trainer affiliated with an organization recognized as qualified to do temperament testing.
i. 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.
ii. Professional therapy dogs in the BCSD are family pets that have been certified as pet therapy animals.
2) Professional therapy dogs have passed a Public Access Test or the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test administered by a licensed trainer/evaluator.
a. Handlers and their dogs will be administered the Public Access Test or the AKC Canine Good Citizen test before being certified as a professional therapy dog. After initial testing the team will then be re-evaluated every two years thereafter.
i. All tests and retests may be administered by a trainer/evaluator recognized by Burlington CSD.
ii. A certificate showing that the test or re-test should be kept in the handler’s building and in the office of the director of finance.
b. Professional therapy dogs are owned by a professional educator in Burlington Community School District who wishes to use a professional therapy dog to augment his/her educational program.
3) Professional therapy dogs must be registered with an AKC approved therapy dog organization. Documentation to be kept with the director of finance.
4) Professional therapy dogs may be used in the school setting on a regular basis when the following documentation is in place:
a. Administrative Approval
i. The sue 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.
ii. A letter stating this approval should be written and kept on file in the building. A copy should be sent to the director of finance.
b. Health records and hygiene/animal care documents are on file with the director of finance for the Burlington Community School District.
i. 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 director of finance.
ii. The dog should receive a bordatella vaccination annually; rabbies vaccinations and five-way parvo/distemper (DHPP) shall be updated every three years. Please note: dogs less than one year of age or receiving their rabies and parvo vaccinations for the first time shall receive a follow-up vaccine in one year, with vaccinations every three years thereafter.
iii. The dog should be given a comprehensive wormer or fecal check for worms annually.
iv. The dog should be checked for external parasite control.
v. All owners will give preventive parasite (fleas and ticks) control and heartworm medication year-round. Annual tests for heartworm are recommended.
vi. 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 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.
c. Public Access Test or AKC Canine Good Citizen test documentation
i. A copy of the Public Access Test or AKC Canine Good Citizen test certificate of completion should be kept on file in the school building and in the office of the director of finance.
ii. Certificate must include name of dog and handler certifying that the handler and the dog both passed the testing.
5) Review of professional school therapy dog guidelines and procedures:
a. Professional therapy dog guidelines and procedures will be reviewed annually with all staff and students at the start of the academic year.
b. Review of guidelines and procedures will take place as needed (determined by the administrator and dog owner/handler) throughout the year.
6) Professional school therapy dogs in training. In the instance that a therapy dog is in training and has passed the basic skills set as determined by the school administrator, it may be permissible for the Therapy dog in training permission to visit the school with the dog handler. The dog must be 100% in the handlers care and never left alone with a student. The dog handler will also assume responsibility and must have personal liability insurance.
Pet Visitation Dogs – Definition
1) A pet visitation dog is a dog owned by a volunteer or student who is NOT employed by Burlington Community School District but who has received registration and/or recognition for volunteer pet visitation.
a. These dogs are NOT considered to be professional therapy dogs.
b. For a dog to be used on a volunteer basis, these guidelines must be followed:
i. If the handler of the dog is an employee of Burlington CSD, the dog and handler MUST be certified under the professional therapy dog guidelines listed above
ii. The dog may be used no more often than on visitation per week for a two-hour interval of time. Should the dog be used more often or for longer periods, it must pass all requirements for a professional therapy dog status before it may be used at school.
2) The following documents must be kept on file in the office of the Director of Finance and the building(s) in which the pet visitation dog is used.
a. Current certification/registration from the therapy dog organization doing the evaluation and testing. Only dogs registered with an AKC recognized therapy dog organization are allowed.
b. Current veterinary records of worming schedules and annual vaccinations
c. For five-way Parvo and Bordetella as well as rabies vaccinations every three years.
d. Proof of insurance
e. A letter of approval from the building administrator(s).
3) 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.
4) 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).
BCSD Professional Therapy Dog Handler Ethics
1) Handlers should evaluate their dog’s health and attitude before each working day.
2) It is permissible for the dog to be off-lead while in a supervised situation where it is working, but it should not be allowed to wander through the facility unsupervised.
3) Be aware and courteous of the places your dog is welcome or allowed in each facility. Students should be taught to “smile and wave” (or other quiet greeting) at the dog in the hall or other less-structured environments to alleviate disruption of students’ attention and conduct.
4) Handlers will always clean up after the dog, inside or outside the facility.
5) Give verbal commands firmly and calmly and praise the dog for exemplary behavior.
6) Dog is only to be left along with a student after students have been trained to properly walk the professional therapy dogs, and parents have signed a permission slip allowing them to walk the dog. The approved students will have designated times to walk the dog. Dog may be left with a non-handler adult provided they agree to maintain supervision for the professional therapy dog. Times with non-handler adults should be limited to brief periods not exceeding one hour. When the dog is left unattended, it should be put in a crate with the door latched or in a room or office with the door closed and locked as needed.
7) If treats are used, students should be taught to give the treat with a flat hand or drop the treat on the ground.
8) Always be alert to signs of stress in the dog. Some of the signs of stress may be:
– Excessive panting
– Dog jumps or climbs on handler for security
– Dog hides behind handler
– Shaking or tremors, or ears and tail pressed closed to body
– Yawning and changes in facial expression
– Dog looks for doorway or other escape route
– Noticeable change in behavior and/or desire to socialize
9) Be aware of small items dropped on the floor and do not allow the dog to rummage through trash containers. Use the “Leave it!” command if this situation arises.
10) When working with disabled persons, the handler(s) will assist in commanding and handling the dog.
11) Never knowingly put your dog in questionable or threatening situation.
12) All BCSD handlers/trainers will follow the district guidelines to ensure the safety of their dogs and students; in addition, following these guidelines will help provide for the appropriate hygiene and veterinary care for their dogs, ensuring a long and healthy certified assistance dog team relationship.
- First Adoption:
- 2018-08-27
- Reviewed Dates:
- May 8, 2022
- Legal Reference:
- 279.8, Code of Iowa