Service Dogs in Schools: A Way of Life for Students, Employees & Administrators
Dec 23, 2015
Service Dogs in Schools: A Way of Life for Students, Employees & Administrators
What is a Service Dog? Can I bring my dog to
school/campus? Does a Service Dog have to be
trained and certified?
What is a Service Dog?
A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.
The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Where do Service Dogs Come from?
School/programs that breed/select, raise, train and place dogs with people with disabilities.
Private Trainers that select, train and place dogs Owners who train a dogs for themselves often with the help of a trainer.
What is the difference? Who is protected under the law?
Service Dogs/Assistance Dogs, ADA, Fair Housing, Air Carrier Access Act
Comfort dogs/companion dogs/emotional support dogs Fair Housing, Air Carrier Access Act
Therapy dogs/visiting therapy dogs By invitation to a facility
How is a Service Dog different from a pet dog? Highly trained to advanced levels Specially selected for friendly temperament, work ethic,no aggressiontowards people/animals and moderate energy levels More interested in their person and work than
other dogs, people, or other animals
Myth Buster
Service Dog Candidates have no say in becoming a service dog.
Service Dogs don’t get to be dogs.Service Dogs are forced to work.There are no standards for Service Dogs.Any dog can be a Service Dog.
Deciding Where Your Service Dog Should Come From? Certification Most people get their service dogs from programs Owner training is rewarding, but it can also be:
Expensive Hard to find a dog with the right stuff Tiring and Slow
Private Trainers Have their own standards and process for clients Can work with you individually May come from dog training fields other than service
dogs May or may not have a background in working with
people with disabilities
Who is responsible for the care of the Service Dog?
What kinds of things can Service Dogs do?
Responsibilities of a Service Dog Handler Feed and care for the Service Dog including
regular vet visits, daily grooming, and exercise Ensure that your Service Dog does notlook for attention from others or disturb otherswhile working Keep your Service Dog safe Maintain training
The Great Parts of having a Service Dog. They are always there for you They can think and change how they do things They don’t complain about having to help you They will do things over
and over with joy They need you as much
as you need them
Not-So-Great Parts of having a Service Dog The attention they attract People invading your space People denying you access with your service dog Dogs getting sick in the middle of the night and
waking you up/ or while working Dogs doing something embarrassing (like
Barking) while working Just as they get really, really good at their work;
it’s time to retire them.
Types of Work Done by Service Dogs Guiding Mobility Balance Medical Response/Alert Hearing Response/Alert
What kinds of accommodations must an
educational institution provide the team?
How Educators Can Minimize Disruption
Show-and-tell Dealing with allergies and fears I want to learn more
who can I call? (start with the school that trained the dog in question, associations, etc.)
High School and College
Unwanted attention New name calling More accommodation IEP More responsibility More Opportunities More independence
Higher Education ADA - public access FHA - housing 504 - accommodations Oregon State Law
Parts of Campus Public Areas Classroom Settings Science Labs Housing Medical Facilities
Service Dogs on College Campuses
Seizure Alert Guiding PTSD- Vigilance, scanning Diabetes Hearing Psychiatric
UO Procedures
Service vs. Comfort /Therapy Students –Accessible Education Center Faculty/Staff – Affirmative Action/Equal
Opportunity UOPD Permit
Can I pet your dog?
Etiquette What do I call you? I am a person speak to me. I am a
person with a disability What do I call your dog? (e.g., “seeing eye dog” “guide
dog” or “dog guide” How do I refer to the relationship? This is a
partnership, Public Disclosure (e.g., harnesses, jackets, other
identifiers) are not required. DO NOT Pet, feed, distract my dog she is not public
property. Interactions with pets on and off-leash. My dog is not
here for your dog’s sake. What do I tell my child? That is a very important dog
lets watch and don’t touch.
Don’t Throw that Out!
Service Dogs are: one tool in living with a disability Don’t replace other tools Work together with other tools Get sick/hurt Need to retire
Questions??
Who Are We?
Leslie Weilbacher- Co-founder Willamette Valley Assistance Dogs Club, Guide Dogs for the Blind Alumna, Guiding Eyes for the Blind Alumna
Melissa Mitchell-Founder Service Dogs: A Way of Life, Co-Founder Willamette Valley Assistance Dogs Club, Owner-Trainer, Summit Assistance Dogs Alumna