2030 - Service Animals in Schools
BOARD POLICY No. 2030
The Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors acknowledges its responsibility to permit students and/or adults with disabilities to be accompanied by a “service animal” as required by federal laws and Washington State’s law against discrimination. This policy governs the presence of service animals in the schools, on school property, including school buses and at school activities.
A “service animal” means an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a disabled person’s sensory, mental or physical disability. The American with Disabilities Act definition of “service animal” means any dog that is 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. Companion and comfort animals are not considered service animals. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
The parent/guardian of a student who believes the student needs to bring a service animal to school or an employee who wishes to bring a service animal to school, must submit a written request to the building principal. The building principal, in consultation with the Section 504 coordinator or director of special services, as appropriate, will determine whether or not to permit the service animal in school.
The superintendent will develop procedures to implement the policy.
Cross References:
Board Policy 5010 Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action
Board Policy 3210 Nondiscrimination
Board Policy 2162 Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Board Policy 2161 Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students
Board Policy 2029 Animals as Part of the Instructional Program
Legal References:
American Disabilities Act (ADA), Revised Title II Regulations, 35 Service animals
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
RCW 28A.642 Discrimination Prohibition
RCW 49.60.040 Definitions
WAC 162-26 Public accommodations, disability discrimination
WAC 392-145-021(3) General operating requirements
WAC 392-172A-01035 Child with a disability or student eligible for special education
WAC 392-172A-01155 (3) Related services
WAC 392-190 Equal education opportunity - Unlawful discrimination prohibited
Adopted: November 21, 2017