Paxton’s Day at School: Service Animals in Schools Russell Campbell Katy Campbell Paxton

Disclosure Russell Campbell- Health and Physical Education Katy Campbell- Elementary Teacher Paxton- Diabetic Alert Dog   Russell & Katy Campbell disclose the absence of personal financial relationships with commercial interests relevant to this educational activity within the past 12 months.

Objective of Presentation: Learners will be able to describe federal law governing the use of service animals; discuss practical classroom management of students with service animals; and outline the role of the school nurse when a service animal is utilized in the management of student health issues.

What is a service animal?

dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. miniature horses that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. (Revised ADA regulation) US Department of Justice

What services can service animals provide?

Any number of tasks. Remember that a service animal is trained specifically to perform tasks that assist a person with a disability.

Diabetic Alert Detect High/Low Sugars Retrieve supplies pre/post event Activate Life-Alert system Retrieve help

Calming Locating a lost child Ballast Redirection from self harm Autism Support Calming Locating a lost child Ballast Redirection from self harm

Seizure Response Activate life-alert system Guard person from public during seizure Retrieve help, food, medications post seizure Increase independence

Alerts of danger by touch Hearing Alerts of danger by touch

Mobility Opens doors Push/Pull a person in a wheel chair Acts as a ballast Retrieval of objects

Guides visually impaired Assesses dangers unknown to handler Seeing Eye Guides visually impaired Assesses dangers unknown to handler

When it is unclear what service a service animal provides, only two inquiries are allowed. Is the service animal (dog/miniature horse) required because of a disability? What work or task has the service animal been trained to perform? US Department of Justice

A “trained service dog” can be called a: A “trained service dog” is NOT called a: hearing dog guide dog assistance dog seizure alert dog mobility dog psychiatric service dog autism service dog skilled companion animal therapy dog social dog facility dog agility dog police dog search and rescue dog helping dog support dog Examples of work or tasks a “trained service dog” performs for a disabled person: A “service dog” can be denied access if it: hearing guiding retrieving objects carrying objects pulling a wheelchair opening doors seizure alert allergen alert diabetes alert balance or mobility assistance preventing or interrupting destructive or impulsive behavior is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it the animal is not on a harness, leash or other tether, or otherwise under the voice control of the handler the animal is not housebroken Virginia Department of Education

FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN DEVELOPING LOCAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS Local, State, and Federal Law. Training for Staff and Students. Education for Staff, Students, and the community of the roles of service animals. Handling and Identification of the service animal at school. Qualifications for removal of a service animal. Follow ADA (US Department of Justice) Where is a service animal allowed. Rights of a service animal and their handler. Understand the structure of your state and local governments In Virginia, State Gov. gives guidelines and local Gov./divisions make policies. Training for staff/students/parents Determine the role of the service animal Explain how people should behave around a service animal and the service it provides. Handling/Identification Schools are not required to provided a handler but may if they so choose. Animals do not have to wear identifying equipment Some states like VA may provide guidelines depending on the disability the dog provides service for. According to ADA Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless it interferes with it’s ability to perform it’s job. Removal Service Dogs can be asked to be removed if they are not well kept, Show aggression, not under control. Cannot remove the human.

Classroom Management Assist in educating and preparing students and parents for the service animal to join the class. Provide a dedicated space for the service animal. Know and understand Individualized Health Care Plans. Understand how the service animal performs its task. Communicating with other school personnel. Task performance What tasks the animal performs What might you need to do to help when the animal is performing. Communicating with personnel Aides Substitutes Resource staff Lunch staff

Role of the School Nurse Review of state and local laws and regulations. Development of an individualized healthcare plan including an evacuation plan and participation in drills. Education of students, staff, and parents regarding the specific use of service animals in schools. Preparedness for special circumstances. Education of Community Working dog versus a pet Breaks for the dog Dog handler Who is involved as the service dog team Addressing Special circumstances Allergies Fear of Dogs Multiple Service Dogs

PAXTON Diabetic Alert Dog Detects high/low sugars Detects 30 minutes to 1 hour in advance Detects at least 5 miles away Signals an alert with a paw Differentiates paw as high or nose touch as low.

References Duncan, K., Garret, J., Strasser, K., & Teskey, C. (2014). Position statement: Service animals in schools. Retrieved from The National Association of School Nurses website: https://schoolnursenet.nasn.org/blogs/nasn-profile/2017/03/13/service-animals-in-school U.S. Department of Justice (2011, July 12). ADA requirements: Service animals. Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm Virginia Department of Education (2011). Guidelines for school division policy and procedures regarding service animals in Virginia’s public schools. Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/special_ed/tech_asst_prof_dev/guidance_service_dog.pdf Wisch, R. (2016). Table of state assistance animal laws. Michigan State University College of Law. Retrieved from https://www.animallaw.info/topic/table-state-assistance-animal-laws