Policy – Category 5000 (Students)
BP 5005 – Supports and Services
e. User: an individual with a disability as defined in paragraph (a) above and persons authorized to train guide dogs, signal dogs, or service dogs for individuals with disabilities, consistent with California Civil Code sections 54.1 and 54.2 . f. Service Animal: defined by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as 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. Examples of work or tasks performed by service animals include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are visually-impaired with navigation and other tasks, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, and helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. Other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. Dogs that are trained to perform tasks that mitigate the effects of a disability, including dogs that are used purely for emotional support, are not service animals nor shall it be considered a guide dog or service dog if its sole function is to provide emotional support, comfort, therapy, companionship, or therapeutic benefits. Provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship does not constitute work or tasks performed. If an individual with a disability or an authorized trainer seeks to bring a service animal other than a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog, as defined in Civil Code section 54.1 , on school property or to a school-sponsored program or activity, the site administrator or designee shall make the determination as to whether the individual may bring the service animal on a case-by-case basis using the guidelines specified herein.
4.2
Written Notification to Parents
Before an individual may bring a guide dog, signal dog, or service dog into the classroom, the site administrator or designee shall provide written notification to all parents/guardians of students in the affected class and/or LEA program, asking them to verify whether their child has any known allergies, asthma, or other health conditions that may be affected by the animal’s presence. Special consideration shall be given to any student who has allergies to certain animals, except that all reasonable accommodations shall be made for service animals used by individuals with disabilities.
All animals brought to school must be:
BP 5005 – Supports and Services
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Desert Mountain Special Education Local Plan Area (DMSELPA) (rev. 10/19)
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