The District 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 any dog or miniature horse 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. The work or tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the individual's disability.
Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to the following:
- 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 nonviolent protection or rescue work,
- Pulling a wheelchair,
- Assisting an individual during a seizure,
- Alerting an individual to the presence of allergens,
- Retrieving items, such as medicine or phone,
- 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.
It is a civil infraction to misrepresent an animal as a service animal. A student's parent/guardian who believes the student needs 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 Education, as appropriate, and consistent with the procedures developed herein, will determine whether or not to permit and/or restrict use of the service animal in school, on school property or at school activities.
The Superintendent shall adopt procedures for implementation of this policy.
Cross References:
Board Policy 3210 Nondiscrimination
Board Policy 2161 Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students
Board Policy 2173 Education of Students with Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
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 Accomodations, Employment 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: October 26, 2015
Revised: April 15, 2019
