Policy-Code-IMG

Animals in Schools

Section I: Instructional Program

Policy Title: Animals in Schools
Policy Code: IMG

Animals in Schools

The Superintendent may establish procedures for appropriately and humanely bringing live animals into a classroom. Such procedures shall forbid the transporting of live animals that are not service animals on school buses. Pets and other animals are not permitted on District property, or in District vehicles, unless the animal is a service animal or is present for an educational purpose by written approval from the Superintendent or school principal.

Therapy dogs and other "emotional support" animals are not service animals. Therapy animals may be granted access to District property or vehicles at the sole discretion of the Superintendent or school principal. See Regulation IMG-R.

Service animals are permitted on district property, on school buses and in classrooms to perform the functions for which they are trained as an accommodation for an individual's disability.

Service Animals

Service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability. Service animal does not include other species of animals, whether wild or domestic or trained or untrained. In accordance with A.R.S. 11-1024(K), a person who fraudulently misrepresents an animal as a service animal may be subject to a civil penalty.

Non-Discrimination

Any person or entity that operates a public place shall not discriminate against individuals with disabilities who use service animals if the work or tasks performed by the service animal are directly related to the individual's disability. Work or tasks include assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing nonviolent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities and helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort or companionship do not constitute work or tasks.

Where to File Reports of Discrimination or Retaliation

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated and/or retaliated against in violation of this policy shall immediately report the conduct according to the following procedures so that the complaint can be addressed fairly and quickly using the procedures described in Policy AC and Regulation AC-R. The individual may make a complaint to the site or department administrator, or to the EEO Compliance Officer.

The District's EEO Compliance Officer may be contacted at:

EEO Compliance Officer
Maricela Meza

Director of Employee Relations1010 E 10th Street
Building A, Room 7

Tucson AZ 85719
(520) 225-6739
[email protected]

For EEO Intake, please email [email protected]

Adopted: December 11, 2012

Revised: March 27, 2020

LEGAL REF: A.R.S. 11-1024 – Service Animals; rights of individuals with disabilities

A.A.C. R17-9-102

CROSS REF:

AC – Non-Discrimination

AC-R – Discrimination - Complaint Procedure