Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders: Faculty Publications
Document Type
Learning Object
Date of this Version
6-2018
Citation
Topic brief
Building and Sustaining Student Engagement series (June 2018)
Barkley Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States
Abstract
Conclusion
The use of animals in schools has become an increasingly important topic of discussion, as there are various reasons that animals might be an important component of the school day for our students. Purposes can range from service animals to therapy animals or even recreational or visitation animals. While there are benefits and considerations for all animals in schools, under the current legal mandates, there is only one category of animals that is required be allowed in schools: service animals. The Americans with Disabilities Act has set forth clear regulations stating that service animals must be allowed to accommodate students in schools, regardless of a demonstration for the student’s need if the student meets the ADA definition for disability. Outside of those guidelines, individual cities and states have begun to develop various policies and laws regarding therapy and visitation animals in schools that will need to be addressed on an individual basis. A sample school policy related to service animals is attached.
Included in
Educational Psychology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Special Education and Teaching Commons
