COVID-19 and THERAPY DOGS in SCHOOLS By: Sharon A
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1 | PSBA ALLIANCE PARTNER | Sponsored content COVID-19 AND THERAPY DOGS IN SCHOOLS By: Sharon A. Orr Do you have therapy animals in your Do not allow people to handle items Therapy animals provide affection and school or are you looking to add that go into the dog’s mouth such comfort to members of the general them? We are still learning about as toys and treats. Disinfect high- public, typically in facility settings how COVID-19 spreads, but there touch items frequently, including such as hospitals, assisted living and have been some instances where collars, leashes, toys, therapy vests/ schools. These animals possess a it has been identified in animals. If harnesses, and food and water bowls. special aptitude for interacting with you have, or are planning to have, a Do not allow therapy dogs to lick or people. Therapy animal owners therapy animal in your school, it is “give kisses.” volunteer their time to visit facilities important to follow local guidance as with their animal. A therapy animal it relates to acceptable business and Currently, there is no evidence that has no special rights of access, except social practices. Some schools that the virus can spread to people from in those facilities where they are normally use therapy animals may the skin or fur of animals. Prior to welcomed. choose to not allow them at this time. visits, therapy animals should be If you are planning to move forward bathed/groomed with approved A therapy animal is not a service/ with a therapy animal in your facility, pet products – never use chemical assistance animal. Service/assistance it is important to keep a few best disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen animals are defined as animals, most practices in mind to keep everyone peroxide or any other disinfecting frequently dogs, that are individually safe. product on animals. trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Service Therapy animal visits require some It is important to understand the dogs are considered working animals, level of contact – when possible, difference between therapy animals, not pets. The work or task a dog keep animals at least 6 feet away service animals and emotional has been trained to provide must from those not participating in the support animals. The different be directly related to the person’s visit. Individuals with symptoms of classifications have varying levels of disability. Guide, hearing and service COVID-19 should not have any contact access and training requirements. dogs are permitted, in accordance with therapy animals. Before and Regardless of the classification, review with the ADA, to accompany a person after every contact, the handler and CDC guidance as it relates to methods with a disability almost anywhere the anyone petting or having contact with to protect the hander and the animal general public is allowed. the animal, should wash their hands during the pandemic. That brings us to the third using CDC protocols. classification – the emotional support 2 | PSBA ALLIANCE PARTNER | Sponsored content animals. An emotional support • Establish a site assessment. • Animal maintenance. Reliable animal, sometimes also referred to To have a safe program, it is therapy dog organizations as a comfort animal, is a pet that important for staff to familiarize require regular veterinarian provides therapeutic support to a themselves with basic safety and checks for their dogs along with person with a mental illness. To be risk management information regular evaluations of handlers designated as an emotional support about animal-assisted therapy to maintain their certification animal, the pet must be prescribed by activities. A site assessment status. Competent dog handlers a licensed mental health professional checklist would be helpful as a are trained to watch for potential for a person with a mental illness. planning tool to determine if a harm to either a child or their The prescription must state that dog therapy program is suitable own dog and are primarily the individual has an impairment for your facility. Dog therapy responsible to manage the animal that substantially limits one or more organizations may be able to when on-site. major life activities, and that the provide the checklist and assist in animal’s presence is necessary for the evaluation process. If the school entity chooses to the individual’s mental health. Per • Legal liability. There are several pursue this endeavor, we strongly the ADA, emotional support animals reliable and experienced recommend a discussion with the do not have the same rights to public organizations such as Pet Partners school district solicitor to draft a pet access as service dogs. Emotional and Therapy Dogs International policy and waiver of liability which support animals may only accompany that help train, evaluate and includes language indemnifying their owners in public areas with the sponsor dog handlers. Dog the school and requiring proof of express permission of each individual handlers representing these insurance by the animal owner, as venue and/or facility management. organizations carry significant outlined above. insurance coverage of $1-2 If your school is considering a therapy million to cover potential risks or 1Charlotte’s Litter, “Bringing Therapy Dogs to dog program, we suggest following liabilities. Furthermore, consent Your School,” 2014, www.charlotteslitter.org. these recommendations from forms can be provided for Charlotte’s Litter1 to make sure you children and parents to ensure understand the potential pitfalls and full awareness and to deter liabilities. potential liability. .