FREE 10+ Service Animals on Campus Policy Samples in PDF

8. College Assistance Animals Policy

9. Service Animal and Assistance Animals Policy

10. Sevice and Support Animal Policy for Students

11. Board Service Animals on Campus Policy

What Is a Service Animals on Campus Policy?

A service animals on campus policy is a set of rules that dictates and specifies what students, teachers, and everyone in the school campus must do when handling and being near service animals. The policy’s purpose is to inform and protect the animal handlers and ensure the safety of the trained service animals. Additionally, the policy will also state the limitations and liability that the handler needs to take note of along with the requirements to fulfill.

How to Establish a Service Animals on Campus Policy

According to the Invisible Disabilities Association, service animals help in assisting people with disabilities. Most often, legally blind individuals are the ones who get the approval to bring in service animals, especially dogs, to serve as their guide. But, the animals are not only limited to the handicapped and disabled, but also to those who need a comforting furry companion. That means all eligible students, teachers, and school employees can have a service animal. And also, it means the school needs a sustainable and well-structured policy about it. So, read on and follow the tips below as you begin establishing your school’s service animals on campus policy:

1. Know the State and Federal Laws

Ever encountered a landlord who would not allow tenants to bring in pets in the property? The reason for the prohibition is often due to either allergy, noise, and facility concerns. When it comes to schools, be it private or public institutions, some laws center on taking service animals on campus. In specific, there are two federal laws: ADA Title II and Section 504. Both laws provide information about how students can bring service animals for as long as it’s necessary. There’s also the Fair Housing Act, which is for those who want to bring the trained service animal inside college dormitories. Therefore, know your laws!

2. Identify the Purpose and Scope

Ask yourself why the school would need the policy, and is it necessary and useful. Also, determine how far and who will get affected by the policy when it gets implemented. Doing this will help you make specifics terms and conditions, rules, and regulations for your policy.

3. Define the Terms Well

Many words need to have a clarified definition, such as the terms partner, team, therapy, service animal, and pet. For you to present their meanings well, you should have a definition of terms section in the policy. Placing it as part of the first page will help ensure that the target readers understand the statements in the policies easily and accurately.

4. List the Requirements

Not all students, teachers, and school staff or employees can bring or have a service animal. So, to make sure that everyone will know and determine whether they’re eligible or not, list the requirements in the policy. It must include the types of documents and legal forms to submit, such as an animal report, vaccination reports, and a city license.

5. State the Limitations and Termination Rules

Dogs bark, cats meow, birds chirp, and horses neigh. With that in mind, some animal sounds may be comforting to its handler, but distracting to others. That’s why in your policy, you should state the limitations and termination rules and regulations. One of the most common would be the termination of the animal when it’s disrupting the class, when it’s ill, and when it has an unruly behavior. Specifying the limitations and termination rules helps make sure that the handler will be responsible and liable when bringing the animal to the school campus.

FAQs

Service animals are more than just fluffy and adorable companions, for they help keep an individual in need secured and safe. So, what are you waiting for? Download our sample forms and policy templates above now!