Hickman County Board of Education
Monitoring:
Descriptor Term:
Descriptor Code:
Issued Date:
3.218.2
Click here to
Review: Annually, in
October
Use of AKC trained Dogs
enter a date.
Rescinds:
Issued:
1
General:
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The Hickman County School District recognizes the importance of creating a positive and
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supportive learning environment for all students, staff members, and visitors. We believe that
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the presence of an AKC (American Kennel Club) trained dog can provide numerous benefits
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to our school community, including enhancing the school culture, increasing attendance, and
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boosting morale among students and staff members. This policy outlines the guidelines for
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the use of an AKC trained dog in each school in the Hickman County School District.
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Policy:
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1. Each school in the Hickman County School District may have an AKC trained dog on
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the premises to support the school culture, encourage attendance, and boost morale
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among students and staff members. There shall be a limit of one dog per school
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campus.
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2. The dog must be trained and certified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a good
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citizen.
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3. The dog handler must be a staff member or volunteer who has completed a dog safety
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training program approved by the school district.
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4. The dog must be current on all vaccinations and have regular check-ups by a licensed
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veterinarian. The dog must be at least two years of age.
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5. The dog must be clean, well groomed, in good health, and housebroken.
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6. The dog must be on a leash at all times while on school premises.
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7. The dog may only interact with students or staff members with permission from the
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dog handler and under the supervision of the dog handler or a designated school staff
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member.
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8. A permission form letter will be sent home at the start of each school year for parents
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and guardians to check for allergies and express any concerns regarding the school
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dog.
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9. The school district will provide accommodations for students with disabilities who
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require the use of a service dog in compliance with federal laws, including the
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education
30
Act (IDEA).
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10. The school district shall not be responsible for any injuries or damages caused by the
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dog. The dog handler will be responsible for any damages caused by the dog.
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11. The use of all AKC trained dogs in the Hickman County School System will be
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managed and overseen by the Coordinated School Health Program. The dog handler
Version Date: May 23, 2023
Service Animals in District Facilities
3.218
1
must apply to the Principal and Director of Schools for approval, and reapply every 5
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years. The Director of Schools shall approve each dog on a case by case basis, and
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provide notification to the Board when approved.
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Supervision and Care
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The Handler is solely responsible for the supervision and care of the dog, including any
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feeding, exercising, and clean up while the animal is in a school building or on school
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property. The school district is not responsible for providing any care, supervision, or
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assistance for an AKC trained dog.
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Authorized Area(s)
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The Handler shall only allow the dog to be in areas in school buildings or on school property
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that are authorized by Coordinated School Health and shall not be in areas where a parent
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noted a concern or allergy on the permission form.
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Insurance
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The Hickman County School system provides liability coverage for injuries sustained by the
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dog through HCSS insurance provider.
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Exclusion and Removal from School
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A school dog may be excluded from school property and buildings if:
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1. A Handler does not have control of the dog;
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2. The dog is not housebroken;
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3. The dog presents a direct and immediate threat to others in the school; or
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4. The animal's presence otherwise interferes with the educational process. The Handler
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shall be required to remove the dog from school premises immediately upon such
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determination by the Principal.
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Allergic Reactions
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If any student or school employee assigned to a classroom in which a dog is permitted
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suffers an allergic reaction, the Handler will be required to remove the animal to a different
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location.
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Page 2 of 3
Service Animals in District Facilities
3.218
1
2
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Federal Laws Regarding Service Dogs for Students with Disabilities:
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The Hickman County School District is committed to complying with federal laws regarding
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service dogs for students with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the
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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require schools to make reasonable
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accommodations for students with disabilities who require the use of a service dog. If your
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child requires the use of a service dog, please contact the school administration to discuss
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the accommodations that will be provided.
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Conclusion:
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The use of an AKC trained dog in the Hickman County, TN school district will provide a
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positive and welcoming environment for students and staff members, while also complying
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with all applicable laws and regulations. The district will take all necessary steps to ensure
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the proper care and training of the dog, as well as provide accommodations for students with
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disabilities who require the assistance of a Service Dog.
Page 3 of 3

## Table 1

|  | Hickman County Board of | Education |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monitoring: Review: Annually, in October | Descriptor Term: Use of AKC trained Dogs | Descriptor Code: 3.218.2 | Issued Date: Click here to enter a date. |
|  |  | Rescinds: | Issued: |

## Table 2

| 9 10 11 12 | 1. Each school in the Hickman County School District may have an AKC trained dog on the premises to support the school culture, encourage attendance, and boost morale among students and staff members. There shall be a limit of one dog per school campus. |
| --- | --- |
| 13 14 | 2. The dog must be trained and certified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a good citizen. |
| 15 16 | 3. The dog handler must be a staff member or volunteer who has completed a dog safety training program approved by the school district. |
| 17 18 | 4. The dog must be current on all vaccinations and have regular check-ups by a licensed veterinarian. The dog must be at least two years of age. |
| 19 | 5. The dog must be clean, well groomed, in good health, and housebroken. |
| 20 | 6. The dog must be on a leash at all times while on school premises. |
| 21 22 23 | 7. The dog may only interact with students or staff members with permission from the dog handler and under the supervision of the dog handler or a designated school staff member. |
| 24 25 26 | 8. A permission form letter will be sent home at the start of each school year for parents and guardians to check for allergies and express any concerns regarding the school dog. |
| 27 28 29 30 | 9. The school district will provide accommodations for students with disabilities who require the use of a service dog in compliance with federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). |
| 31 32 | 10. The school district shall not be responsible for any injuries or damages caused by the dog. The dog handler will be responsible for any damages caused by the dog. |
| 33 34 | 11. The use of all AKC trained dogs in the Hickman County School System will be managed and overseen by the Coordinated School Health Program. The dog handler |