Service Animals in Schools: Legal, Educational, Administrative, and Strategic Handling Aspects

The guide provides practical guidance for creating legal and welcoming policies, procedures, and practices for service and emotional support animals in schools and related settings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights and practical guidance for educators, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, nurses, parent advocates, and other professionals and stakeholders involved in developing legal and inclusive policies, procedures, and practices for service and emotional support animals in schools and related settings. It provides a thorough understanding of the legal requirements and considerations related to service and emotional support animals, as well as best practices for their integration into educational environments.

Introduction:
Service and emotional support animals play a crucial role in enhancing the well-being and academic success of students with disabilities and other health conditions. However, the integration of these animals into schools and related settings requires careful consideration of legal and ethical considerations. This comprehensive guide aims to provide practical guidance for educators, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, nurses, parent advocates, and other professionals and stakeholders in creating legal and welcoming policies, procedures, and practices for service and emotional support animals in schools and related settings.

Legal Requirements and Considerations:
Understanding the legal requirements and considerations related to service and emotional support animals is essential for ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Some of the key legal aspects to consider include:

ADA Amendments Act (2008): The ADA Amendments Act (2008) protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and ensures that they have equal access to accommodations and services. This act includes provisions for service and emotional support animals, which are considered reasonable accommodations under certain circumstances.

Fair Housing Act (1968): The Fair Housing Act (1968) prohibits discrimination in housing based on disability and requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities. This act also applies to service and emotional support animals, as they are considered necessary accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

State and Local Laws: Each state and local jurisdiction may have its own laws and regulations regarding service and emotional support animals. It is important to familiarize oneself with the specific laws and requirements in the area where one works or operates.

Best Practices for Integration:
Implementing best practices for the integration of service and emotional support animals into schools and related settings is crucial for ensuring their successful integration. Some of the best practices include:

Assessment and Evaluation: Before allowing a service or emotional support animal to be present in a school or related setting, it is important to conduct an assessment and evaluation to determine whether the animal is necessary for the individual's disability and whether it will pose any risks or disruptions.

Training and Supervision: Service and emotional support animals should be trained to behave appropriately and to not interfere with the learning environment. Training and supervision should be provided by the individual with a disability or their parent/guardian, if applicable.

Confidentiality and Privacy: It is important to respect the confidentiality and privacy of individuals with disabilities and their service or emotional support animals. This includes ensuring that the animal is not disclosed to other students or staff without the individual's consent.

Communication and Collaboration: Open communication and collaboration between educators, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, nurses, parent advocates, and other professionals and stakeholders is essential for ensuring a successful integration of service and emotional support animals. This includes developing policies and procedures that address the needs of individuals with disabilities and their service or emotional support animals.

Conclusion:
Service and emotional support animals can greatly benefit individuals with disabilities and other health conditions. However, the integration of these animals into schools and related settings requires careful consideration of legal and ethical considerations. By following the guidelines and best practices outlined in this comprehensive guide, educators, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, nurses, parent advocates, and other professionals and stakeholders can create legal and welcoming policies, procedures, and practices for service and emotional support animals in schools and related settings. This will help to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to accommodations and services and that the learning environment is safe and inclusive for all students.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 151 x 226 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538158210