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Indianola board approves policy to allow certified therapy dogs in schools, with phased rollout and conditions
Summary
The Indianola Community School District board approved a revised service-animal policy that explicitly permits certified therapy dogs in district buildings; approval was conditional on a handbook, building-level integration plans, handler requirements and liability coverage. Board waived second reading and approved the policy 6-0.
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…
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