POLICY NUMBER:
300.08
ADOPTED:
5.6.2025
Board Policy
- The Board of Education is committed to providing equal access to all services, activities, and programs it offers. Students, employees or members of the public will not be denied access to services, programs, or activities due to their legitimate use of a service animal in accordance with federal and state law.
- The Board of Education authorizes the Superintendent and District Administration to develop administrative regulations consistent with this policy.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
300.08-1
APPROVED:
5.6.2025
Definitions - 300.08-1
For purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:
- “Disability”: means, with respect to an individual— (A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (B) a record of such an impairment; or (C) being regarded as having such an impairment (42 U.S.C.§12102 of the Americans with Disabilities Act).
- “Service Animal”: Any dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purpose of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the individual’s disability. The provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship does not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
300.08-2
APPROVED:
5.6.2025
General Provisions - 300.08-2
- Individuals with disabilities shall be permitted to be accompanied by their service animal or service animals in training in all areas of District facilities where members of the public, participants in services, programs or activities, or invitees are allowed to go. Canyons School District may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations due to health and safety restrictions or places where animals might be in danger.
- Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to: food preparation areas, instructional laboratories, boiler rooms, and other areas prohibited by law.
- As provided for in Utah law, service animals in training shall be granted access to District facilities where members of the public, participants in services, programs or activities, or invitees are allowed to go, except in places where there is a health, environmental, or safety hazard.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
300.08-3
APPROVED:
5.6.2025
Service Animal Inquiries - 300.08-3
- In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, District or school staff may only ask two questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability; and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform.
- A service animal’s owner may be required to provide documentation indicating that the service animal has been licensed in the jurisdiction (s) in which the owner resides. (See, Exhibit-1-Service Animal Agreement).
- District employees, staff, and other students will not pet or feed a service animal or attempt to separate the animal from the owner.
- District employees, staff, and other students will contact Legal Services if there are any additional questions regarding students, employees, or visitors to campus who have service animals.
- District employees will report any service animals who misbehave or any owners (or others) who mistreat their service animals to their principal or Legal Services. The principal will determine what qualifies as “misbehavior” in consultation with Legal Services.
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
300.08-4
APPROVED:
5.6.2025
Service Animal Removal - 300.08-4
- Removal of a service animal: A District or school administrator may request an individual with a disability remove a service animal from its facilities under the following circumstances:
- The animal is out of control and the animal’s handler does not take effective action to control it; or
- The animal is not housebroken; or
- The animal poses a direct threat. (See, Exhibit-1-Service Animal Agreement).
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION:
300.08-5
APPROVED:
5.6.2025
Service Animal Responsibility - 300.08-5
- Owner’s Responsibilities:
- The owner is responsible for attending to and fully controlling the service animal at all times. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler’s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).
- Owner is responsible for the care and costs necessary for a service animal’s well-being. The arrangements and responsibilities for the care of a service animal are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times, including feeding, regular bathing, and grooming, as needed.
- Owner is responsible for independently removing or arranging for the removal of the service animal’s waste.
- Owner is responsible for complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and owner responsibilities.
- Owner is responsible for paying for any damage to school or Canyons School District property caused by the animal.
- It is the responsibility of the service animal’s owner to update vaccination and license documentation
- The District and its employees are not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal, unless documentation exists specifically requiring such care and supervision by the District or its employees.
Exhibits
Forms
None
Document History
Revised – 5.6.2025. The service animals in school policy was updated to provide general provisions and guidance for staff members regarding service animals and safety in schools, and owner responsibilities. The update included the following additions:
General provisions for service animals and safety in schools:
– Canyons School District may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations due to health and safety restrictions or places where the animal might be in danger
– Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to, food preparation areas, instructional laboratories, boiler rooms, and other areas prohibited by law.
Guidance for staff members for interactions with service animals
– District employees, staff, and other students will not pet or feed a service animal or attempt to separate the animal from the owner.
– District employees, staff, and other students will contact Legal Services if there are any additional questions regarding students, employees, or visitors to campus who have service animals.
– Canyons School District may prohibit the use of service animals in certain locations due to health and safety restrictions or places where the animal might be in danger
– Restricted areas may include, but are not limited to, food preparation areas, instructional laboratories, boiler rooms, and other areas prohibited by law.
Guidance for staff members for interactions with service animals
– District employees, staff, and other students will not pet or feed a service animal or attempt to separate the animal from the owner.
– District employees, staff, and other students will contact Legal Services if there are any additional questions regarding students, employees, or visitors to campus who have service animals.
Owner Responsibilities for Service Animals in Schools:
– Owner is responsible for the care and costs necessary for a service animal’s well-being. The arrangements and responsibilities for the care of a service animal are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times, including feeding, regular bathing, and grooming, as needed.
– Owner is responsible for independently removing or arranging for the removal of the service animal’s waste.
– Owner is responsible for complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and owner responsibilities.
– Owner is responsible for paying for any damage to school or Canyons School District property caused by the animal.
– It is the responsibility of the service animal’s owner to update vaccination and license documentation.
– Owner is responsible for the care and costs necessary for a service animal’s well-being. The arrangements and responsibilities for the care of a service animal are the sole responsibility of the owner at all times, including feeding, regular bathing, and grooming, as needed.
– Owner is responsible for independently removing or arranging for the removal of the service animal’s waste.
– Owner is responsible for complying with local and state licensing laws for animal rights and owner responsibilities.
– Owner is responsible for paying for any damage to school or Canyons School District property caused by the animal.
– It is the responsibility of the service animal’s owner to update vaccination and license documentation.
Adopted – 12.1.2015
This online presentation is an electronic representation of the Canyons School District’s currently adopted policy manual. It does not reflect updating activities in progress. The official, authoritative manual is available for inspection in the office of the Superintendent located at 9361 South 300 East Sandy, UT 84070.
