Animals in School | Pets | Service Animals
CDC Resources
General Guidelines for Animals in the School Setting - Recommendations developed by the Alabama Department of Public Health, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, National Science Teachers Association, and the National Association of Biology Teachers.
MMWR Appendix D - Guidelines for Animals in School and Child-Care Settings
National Association of School Nurses Resources (NASN)
Service Animals in School Position Statement
Provides a summary, background, and rationale for the use of service animals in schools.
NYS School Boards Association Resources (NYSSBA)
Service Animals in Schools: Recommendations for School Districts
Provides information on the rights of students with disabilities.
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
Despite increasing animal prevalence in public spaces, few districts have proactively developed policies to integrate assistance, therapy, service, and emotional support animals that are both legally sound and support the needs of individual students. Federal legislation defines a variety of animals that could accompany students, but only those trained to perform a specific disability-related task are considered service animals. Policy development to address the increasing prevalence of service animals on school campuses has not been widely examined. This article uses standard legal analysis to gather data from court rulings in the United States, uses secondary sources such as peer-reviewed journals, special education journals, and professional organizations, and provides recommendations on how to develop a sound service animal policy and procedures.
U.S. Department of Justice Resources (USDOJ) Civil Rights Division
Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA
Provides guidance on the ADA's service animal provisions, including definitions of service animals, general rules, certification, registrations, breeds, and exclusions. This should be read in conjunction with the publication titled Americans with Disabilities Revised Requirements on Service Animals provided below.
This publication provides guidance on the term “service animal” and the service animal provisions in the Department’s new regulations.
