Indianola board approves policy to allow certified therapy dogs in schools, with phased rollout and conditions

The Indianola Community School District board on Dec. 9 approved a revision to its service-animal policy to allow certified therapy dogs to work with students in school buildings, with conditions including handler certification, annual vaccinations, building administrator approval and an implementation handbook.

The policy change won unanimous approval after the board waived a required second reading. "If we have staff members that are interested in this program and they wanna bring their animal in over break, we have a policy in place," Board member Eric Christensen said before the vote; the motion to waive and approve was made by Eric Christensen and seconded by Sue Wilson, and passed 6 to 0.

Supporters said the program would begin as a limited, phased pilot and include a required handbook that details logistics, health and safety steps, and an integration plan for each building. "We would have an integration plan. That dog would not be in the classroom right away; it would come build up in hours…to see how that dog reacts to the school," Staff member Corey said, describing a three‑week phased introduction and scheduled rest periods for the animals.

District presenters and handlers described requirements they intend to include in the handbook: handlers and dogs must be certified by a recognized therapy-dog organization, maintain annual obedience training and vaccinations, and follow grooming and rest protocols. Staff member Britney said the district used parental health‑plan forms and classroom-level documentation in a nearby district to shield students with allergies or severe phobias from unintended contact. "There was a sheet that parents were able to fill out…where they could say, ‘my child has maybe a fear of dogs or an allergy,’ and that was put on file," Britney said.

Administrators said dogs would be owned by staff handlers and covered under district liability arrangements once policy language and the handbook are in place. Facilities and risk‑management staff briefed the board that the district’s insurer reviewed proposed parameters and would accept the program provided the handbook and vetting steps are followed.

Board discussion emphasized a cautious rollout: secondary buildings would be limited to two therapy dogs each and elementary buildings to one dog each, with building administrators responsible for approving individual handlers. The policy committee recommended the board approve the broad policy and allow administration to finalize the handbook and pilot protocols. "We really wanna make sure that whoever the classroom teacher…has access who has the most access to students and who's giving the most emotional…support to those students," Staff member Corey said.

The board also asked for documented plans addressing rest periods, handler back‑ups, owner responsibility and how dogs will be sheltered during non‑student hours. Administrators said the handbook will specify those logistics and that pilots would begin only after building‑level sign‑off and completion of required training.

The policy as written distinguishes therapy dogs from service dogs and from family pets, and states handlers must coordinate with school nurses and building administrators to put individual health or accommodation plans in place. The board approved the policy and waived the second reading by a 6‑0 vote; staff will return the handbook and implementation plans to the board for information as they are completed.