Administrative​ ​Procedure​ ​256

SERVICE​ ​DOGS​ ​IN​ ​SCHOOLS Background The​ ​district​ ​is​ ​committed​ ​to​ ​the​ ​delivery​ ​of​ ​high​ ​quality​ ​education​ ​programs,​ ​supports​ ​and services​ ​that​ ​allow​ ​students​ ​with​ ​diverse​ ​needs​ ​to​ ​maximize​ ​their​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​achievement. The​ ​district​ ​recognizes​ ​the​ ​diverse​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​some​ ​students​ ​may​ ​require​ ​unique accommodation(s).​ ​These​ ​accommodations,​ ​linked​ ​to​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​learning​ ​profile,​ ​may​ ​include the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​service​ ​dogs​ ​in​ ​situations​ ​where​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​physical​ ​disability,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​blindness​ ​or low​ ​vision,​ ​deafness​ ​or​ ​hearing​ ​impairment,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as,​ ​seizure​ ​disorder​ ​or​ ​autism​ ​spectrum disorder. The​ ​district​ ​is​ ​also​ ​committed​ ​to​ ​ensuring​ ​it​ ​operates​ ​within​ ​the​ ​legal​ ​mandate​ ​of​ ​all​ ​legislation​ ​in meeting​ ​the​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​its​ ​students.​ ​This​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​School​ ​Act​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​Act, specifically​ ​the​ ​Alberta​ ​Service​ ​Dogs​ ​Act​ ​(January​ ​1,​ ​2009),​ ​which​ ​legally​ ​recognized​ ​all​ ​service dogs.​ ​Albertans​ ​with​ ​disabilities​ ​who​ ​use​ ​qualified​ ​service​ ​dogs​ ​now​ ​have​ ​access​ ​to​ ​all​ ​public places​ ​in​ ​the​ ​province.​ ​These​ ​are​ ​the​ ​same​ ​rights​ ​as​ ​blind​ ​and/or​ ​visually​ ​impaired​ ​persons​ ​who use​ ​a​ ​guide​ ​dog. Procedures 1. In​ ​accordance​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Alberta​ ​Service​ ​Dogs​ ​Act,​ ​the​ ​district​ ​supports​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​service dogs​ ​in​ ​schools​ ​and​ ​facilities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​district​ ​when​ ​the​ ​following​ ​conditions​ ​are​ ​met: 1.1

The​ ​family​ ​of​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​has​ ​received​ ​a​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​Team​ ​Identification​ ​Card​ ​from​ ​the Government​ ​of​ ​Alberta;

1.2

All​ ​family​ ​responsibilities​ ​have​ ​been​ ​fulfilled;

1.3

All​ ​school​ ​and​ ​district​ ​responsibilities,​ ​including​ ​liability,​ ​have​ ​been​ ​met.

2. Service​ ​Dog​ ​Identification: 2.1

Service​ ​dogs​ ​provide​ ​support​ ​to​ ​students​ ​with​ ​mobility,​ ​safety​ ​and​ ​independence issues.​ ​A​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​a​ ​school​ ​is​ ​a​ ​working​ ​animal​ ​trained​ ​to​ ​perform​ ​the​ ​skills required​ ​to​ ​meet​ ​essential​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​a​ ​student​ ​with​ ​whom​ ​it​ ​has​ ​been​ ​partnered.

2.2

The​ ​Minister​ ​responsible​ ​for​ ​the​ ​Service​ ​Dogs​ ​Act​ ​“may,​ ​on​ ​application,​ ​issue​ ​to​ ​a disabled​ ​person​ ​an​ ​identification​ ​card​ ​identifying​ ​the​ ​person​ ​and​ ​that​ ​person’s service​ ​dog.​ ​The​ ​identification​ ​card​ ​is​ ​proof,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​evidence​ ​to​ ​the contrary,​ ​that​ ​the​ ​disabled​ ​person​ ​and​ ​that​ ​person’s​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​identified​ ​in​ ​it​ ​are qualified​ ​for​ ​the​ ​purposes​ ​of​ ​this​ ​Act.”​ ​(Service​ ​Dogs​ ​Act,​ ​No.​ ​4)

2.3

Service​ ​dogs​ ​in​ ​schools​ ​must​ ​have​ ​a​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​Team​ ​Identification​ ​Card​ ​from​ ​the Government​ ​of​ ​Alberta.​ ​They​ ​will​ ​generally​ ​have​ ​a​ ​Special​ ​Skills​ ​Dog​ ​harness​ ​and leash​ ​and/or​ ​saddlebag​ ​or​ ​vest.

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3. Family​ ​Responsibilities Parents/legal​ ​guardians​ ​who​ ​wish​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​accompany​ ​their​ ​child​ ​to​ ​school must: 3.1

Apply​ ​in​ ​writing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​principal​ ​for​ ​permission,​ ​providing​ ​the​ ​reasons​ ​and​ ​the​ ​benefits of​ ​their​ ​request.

3.2

Complete​ ​the​ ​Parent/Legal​ ​Guardian​ ​Request​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Certified​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​form. (​Form​ ​256-1​)

3.3

Provide​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​from​ ​a​ ​physician​ ​confirming​ ​that​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​need​ ​for​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​a service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​school​ ​is​ ​essential​ ​and​ ​directly​ ​related​ ​to​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the student.

3.4

Provide​ ​a​ ​copy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​Team​ ​Identification​ ​Card​ ​issued​ ​from​ ​the Government​ ​of​ ​Alberta.

3.5

Provide​ ​up-to-date​ ​proof​ ​of​ ​vaccinations,​ ​licensing,​ ​insurance​ ​and​ ​liability​ ​coverage.

3.6

Indicate​ ​how​ ​and​ ​when​ ​initial​ ​and​ ​ongoing​ ​training​ ​will​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​for​ ​current​ ​and new​ ​staff.

3.7

Indicate​ ​when​ ​and​ ​how​ ​frequently​ ​any​ ​required​ ​ongoing​ ​training​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog will​ ​be​ ​undertaken.

3.8

Pay​ ​for​ ​any​ ​financial​ ​implications​ ​regarding​ ​the​ ​training,​ ​use​ ​and​ ​care​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service dog.

3.9

Indicate​ ​who​ ​will​ ​accompany​ ​and​ ​handle​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​both​ ​inside​ ​and​ ​outside​ ​the school​ ​and​ ​what​ ​arrangements​ ​have​ ​been​ ​made​ ​with​ ​regard​ ​to​ ​alternate​ ​handlers when​ ​necessary.

3.10

Provide​ ​information​ ​from​ ​the​ ​service​ ​agency​ ​indicating​ ​details​ ​around​ ​the​ ​personal care​ ​and​ ​physical​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog,​ ​including​ ​the​ ​safest​ ​and​ ​most environmentally​ ​sound​ ​place​ ​for​ ​the​ ​animal​ ​to​ ​relieve​ ​itself,​ ​removal​ ​and​ ​disposal​ ​of animal​ ​waste​ ​and​ ​considerations​ ​for​ ​seasonal​ ​changes​ ​and​ ​inclement​ ​weather.

3.11

Make​ ​arrangements​ ​for​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​to​ ​visit​ ​the​ ​school​ ​to​ ​familiarize​ ​it​ ​with​ ​the school​ ​site.

3.12

Complete​ ​Parent/Legal​ ​Guardian​ ​Request​ ​for​ ​a​ ​Certified​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​(F ​ orm​ ​256-1​), as​ ​an​ ​agreement​ ​to: 3.12.1 Accept​ ​all​ ​liability​ ​that​ ​might​ ​be​ ​incurred​ ​as​ ​a​ ​result​ ​of​ ​the​ ​behaviour​ ​of​ ​the service​ ​dog​ ​while​ ​being​ ​present​ ​at​ ​a​ ​district​ ​school​ ​or​ ​during​ ​district sponsored​ ​events​ ​and​ ​activities; 3.12.2 Have​ ​appropriate​ ​insurance​ ​coverage; 3.12.3 Reasonable​ ​conditions​ ​that​ ​may​ ​be​ ​imposed​ ​for​ ​the​ ​transportation​ ​of​ ​the service​ ​dog​ ​to​ ​and​ ​from​ ​school; 3.12.4 Have​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​be​ ​reviewed​ ​on​ ​an​ ​annual​ ​basis; 3.12.5 Support​ ​transitions​ ​between​ ​schools​ ​when​ ​necessary​ ​as​ ​the​ ​child​ ​progresses through​ ​the​ ​grades.

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4. School​ ​and​ ​District​​ ​Responsibilities When​ ​a​ ​principal​ ​receives​ ​a​ ​written​ ​request​ ​for​ ​permission​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​accompany a​ ​student​ ​to​ ​school,​ ​the​ ​following​ ​process​ ​will​ ​be​ ​used: 4.1

The​ ​principal​ ​will​ ​inform​ ​the​ ​superintendent,​ ​Instructional​ ​Services​ ​and​ ​the​ ​area superintendent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​request.

4.2

Prior​ ​to​ ​approval​ ​of​ ​having​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​accompany​ ​the​ ​student​ ​to​ ​school,​ ​the principal​ ​will​ ​arrange​ ​and​ ​participate​ ​in​ ​a​ ​conference​ ​with​ ​the​ ​parents/legal guardians,​ ​classroom​ ​teacher​ ​and​ ​appropriate​ ​Instructional​ ​Services​ ​personnel​ ​to:

4.3

4.2.1

Review​ ​Administrative​ ​Procedure​ ​256​ ​-​ ​Service​ ​Dogs​ ​in​ ​Schools;

4.2.2

Request​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​from​ ​a​ ​health​ ​practitioner​ ​documenting​ ​the​ ​student’s essential​ ​need​ ​for​ ​a​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​school​ ​in​ ​relation​ ​to​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​learning needs;

4.2.3

Review​ ​the​ ​purpose​ ​and​ ​function​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​relation​ ​to​ ​successful learning​ ​and/or​ ​safety​ ​for​ ​the​ ​student;

4.2.4

Clarify​ ​all​ ​the​ ​responsibilities​ ​of​ ​the​ ​family,​ ​school​ ​and​ ​district.

The​ ​principal​ ​will​ ​arrange​ ​for​ ​an​ ​Instructional​ ​Services​ ​review​ ​of​ ​the​ ​student’s Learner​ ​Support​ ​Plan​ ​(LSP)​ ​to​ ​determine​ ​how​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​identified​ ​learning​ ​needs that​ ​the​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​is​ ​intended​ ​to​ ​address​ ​are​ ​currently​ ​being​ ​met. 4.3.1

This​ ​review​ ​will​ ​include​ ​an​ ​examination​ ​of​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​current​ ​file​ ​and​ ​LSP, as​ ​well​ ​as,​ ​conversations​ ​with​ ​the​ ​principal​ ​and​ ​staff,​ ​consultation​ ​with​ ​other professionals​ ​supporting​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​learning​ ​program​ ​and​ ​in-class observations​ ​by​ ​appropriate​ ​district​ ​personnel.​ ​Refer​ ​to​ ​Instructional​ ​Support Team​ ​Observation​ ​Summary​ ​Recommendations​ ​regarding​ ​a​ ​Service​ ​Dog (​Form​ ​256-2​).

4.4

The​ ​principal​ ​will​ ​collect​ ​the​ ​necessary​ ​documentation​ ​from​ ​the​ ​parent/legal​ ​guardian including​ ​a​ ​letter​ ​from​ ​a​ ​physician​ ​confirming​ ​that​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​need​ ​for​ ​the​ ​use​ ​of​ ​a service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​school​ ​is​ ​essential​ ​and​ ​directly​ ​related​ ​to​ ​the​ ​learning​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the student.

4.5

The​ ​principal​ ​will​ ​review​ ​the​ ​medical​ ​records​ ​of​ ​other​ ​students​ ​and​ ​staff​ ​regarding allergies,​ ​animal​ ​anxiety,​ ​etc.​ ​If​ ​issues​ ​are​ ​identified,​ ​accommodation​ ​requirements will​ ​be​ ​reviewed​ ​with​ ​the​ ​appropriate​ ​district​ ​personnel,​ ​i.e.​ ​area​ ​superintendent; superintendent,​ ​Human​ ​Resources;​ ​manager,​ ​Employee​ ​Wellness.

4.6

Prior​ ​to​ ​final​ ​approval​ ​of​ ​a​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​accompanying​ ​a​ ​student​ ​to​ ​school,​ ​the principal​ ​must​ ​have​ ​a​ ​copy​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Service​ ​Dog​ ​Team​ ​Identification​ ​Card​ ​issued​ ​from the​ ​Government​ ​of​ ​Alberta​ ​and​ ​up-to-date​ ​proof​ ​of​ ​vaccinations,​ ​licensing,​ ​insurance and​ ​liability​ ​coverage.

4.7

After​ ​all​ ​the​ ​documentation​ ​has​ ​been​ ​obtained,​ ​the​ ​principal​ ​will​ ​arrange​ ​and participate​ ​in​ ​a​ ​second​ ​meeting​ ​with​ ​parents/legal​ ​guardians,​ ​classroom​ ​teacher​ ​and appropriate​ ​Instructional​ ​Services​ ​personnel​ ​to: 4.7.1

Determine​ ​who​ ​will​ ​accompany​ ​and​ ​handle​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog;

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4.8

4.7.2

The​ ​personal​ ​care​ ​and​ ​needs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog;

4.7.3

Classroom​ ​considerations,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​program​ ​adaptations​ ​and​ ​the​ ​inclusion​ ​of the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​LSP,​ ​the​ ​seating​ ​arrangements,​ ​routines,​ ​etc.

4.7.4

Arrangements​ ​for​ ​training​ ​the​ ​school​ ​personnel;

4.7.5

The​ ​education​ ​of​ ​the​ ​student​ ​body​ ​on​ ​the​ ​role​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​and​ ​on​ ​the rules​ ​of​ ​conduct​ ​concerning​ ​the​ ​dog.

Once​ ​final​ ​approval​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​accompany​ ​a​ ​student​ ​to​ ​school​ ​has​ ​been made,​ ​the​ ​principal​ ​will: 4.8.1

Inform,​ ​in​ ​writing,​ ​all​ ​stakeholders​ ​of​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​in​ ​the school,​ ​including​ ​all​ ​students,​ ​staff,​ ​support​ ​personnel,​ ​volunteers, parents/legal​ ​guardians,​ ​School​ ​Council,​ ​ATA,​ ​CUPE,​ ​Unifor,​ ​health​ ​and safety​ ​personnel,​ ​Fire​ ​Department,​ ​police​ ​liaison,​ ​etc.

4.8.2

Arrange​ ​to​ ​have​ ​personnel​ ​from​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog​ ​agency​ ​provide​ ​education​ ​to the​ ​student​ ​body,​ ​staff,​ ​guest​ ​teachers​ ​and​ ​the​ ​community​ ​regarding​ ​service dogs​ ​both​ ​at​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dogs​ ​entry​ ​into​ ​school​ ​and​ ​on​ ​an ongoing​ ​basis​ ​as​ ​staff​ ​changes,​ ​grades​ ​change​ ​and​ ​other​ ​circumstances warrant​ ​it;

4.8.3

Revise​ ​emergency​ ​procedures​ ​as​ ​required​ ​to​ ​include​ ​the​ ​dog;

4.8.4

Ensure​ ​that​ ​proper​ ​signage​ ​is​ ​used​ ​to​ ​inform​ ​visitors​ ​of​ ​the​ ​presence​ ​of​ ​a service​ ​dog;

4.8.5

Ensure​ ​students​ ​and​ ​staff​ ​are​ ​aware,​ ​through​ ​the​ ​training​ ​offered​ ​by​ ​the service​ ​dog​ ​agency​ ​of​ ​how​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​is​ ​to​ ​be​ ​integrated​ ​into​ ​the​ ​learning environment​ ​in​ ​a​ ​way​ ​that​ ​is​ ​consistent​ ​with​ ​the​ ​service​ ​work​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​is undertaking;

4.8.6

Ensure​ ​that​ ​transportation​ ​is​ ​provided​ ​for​ ​the​ ​safe​ ​transit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog including: 4.8.6.1 The​ ​provision​ ​of​ ​basic​ ​training​ ​for​ ​drivers,​ ​substitute​ ​drivers​ ​and passengers,​ ​concerning​ ​conduct​ ​with​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog; 4.8.6.2 Providing​ ​route​ ​information​ ​to​ ​all​ ​drivers​ ​and​ ​substitute​ ​drivers; 4.8.6.3 Ensuring​ ​that​ ​the​ ​dog​ ​is​ ​located​ ​in​ ​a​ ​seating​ ​compartment​ ​or​ ​on​ ​the floor​ ​away​ ​from​ ​the​ ​aisle​ ​on​ ​a​ ​bus.

4.9

In​ ​the​ ​process​ ​of​ ​the​ ​year-end​ ​review,​ ​the​ ​principal​ ​will​ ​ensure​ ​that​ ​appropriate district​ ​personnel​ ​evaluate​ ​the​ ​student’s​ ​program​ ​needs​ ​related​ ​to​ ​the​ ​service​ ​dog. This​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​school’s​ ​input​ ​with​ ​regard​ ​to​ ​monitoring​ ​the​ ​dog’s​ ​capacity​ ​to provide​ ​the​ ​target​ ​service.​ ​District​ ​personnel,​ ​in​ ​consultation​ ​with​ ​parents/legal guardians​ ​and​ ​the​ ​service​ ​training​ ​agency,​ ​will​ ​then​ ​determine​ ​what​ ​training​ ​will​ ​need to​ ​take​ ​place​ ​for​ ​future​ ​teachers,​ ​staff,​ ​students,​ ​transportation​ ​providers​ ​and​ ​the wider​ ​community,​ ​including​ ​a​ ​transition​ ​plan​ ​for​ ​the​ ​next​ ​grade​ ​or​ ​new​ ​school situation.

5. Conclusion

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The​ ​district​ ​reserves​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​deny​ ​school​ ​access​ ​to​ ​a​ ​service​ ​dog,​ ​where​ ​circumstances warrant.​ ​According​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Alberta​ ​School​ ​Act,​ ​Section​ ​2,​ ​“The​ ​exercise​ ​of​ ​any​ ​right​ ​or​ ​the receipt​ ​of​ ​any​ ​benefit​ ​under​ ​this​ ​Act​ ​is​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​those​ ​limitations​ ​that​ ​are​ ​reasonable​ ​in each​ ​circumstance​ ​under​ ​which​ ​the​ ​right​ ​is​ ​being​ ​exercised​ ​or​ ​the​ ​benefit​ ​is​ ​being​ ​received.” Approval​ ​Date:

April12,​ ​2016

Reference:

Section​ ​16.2,​ ​18,​ ​20,​ ​45,​ ​45.1,​ ​60,​ ​61,​ ​113​ ​School​ ​Act Alberta​ ​Human​ ​Rights​ ​Act Alberta​ ​Service​ ​Dogs​ ​Act Blind​ ​Persons’​ ​Rights​ ​Act Alberta​ ​Service​ ​Dogs​ ​Qualifications​ ​Regulation​ ​197/2008​ ​(consolidated​ ​up​ ​to​ ​34/2015)

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