The Waunakee Community School District board voted Aug. 11 to approve a new policy permitting trained, certified therapy dogs to visit district buildings under a district-level approval and checklist process.

Tiffany and Lisa, staff members who helped draft the policy, told the board the district plans a conservative pilot: visits would begin at one day a week in a single building rather than unrestricted access. Lisa said the committee emphasized communication with families and staff so parents and teachers are aware in advance and the district can track allergies and other medical needs. "Very clear communication and then an opportunityfor parents to share concerns with us," Tiffany said.

The policy limits visits to certified therapy dogs and their handlers; it does not create a pathway for students to bring emotional-support animals to school. Emily, the new principal at Heritage, shared that in her previous district a therapy dog named Riggins attended on a scheduled basis and that the schedule gradually increased as the dog acclimated.

The board also discussed logistics: handlers are volunteers and the district does not expect a direct cost; insurance staff checked district liability and reported no special premium needed. The district will retain an approval checklist as an operational artifact rather than embedding every procedural step in the policy so that the checklist can be revised after the pilot.

A motion to approve the policy was made and seconded; the board approved the measure by voice vote.