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 aggression towards 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 not look for attention from others or disturb others while 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 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??

Contact Us

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