040 – Transporting Students with Service Dogs

Service dogs are trained to assist children who have physical or developmental disabilities with their daily lives and living activities.

STWDSTS recognizes that a student may require a service dog to be transported with them on a school purpose vehicle as part of their daily life and activities.

The Human Rights Code and the Ontarians with Disabilities Act cites the use of service dogs as a right of the individual.

Specialized transportation requests are approved on an annual basis only and must be reviewed each year.

The Parent/Guardian shall:

1. Provide a letter to the Special Education Department outlining what they see as the benefits of having the service dog attend school with their child.
2. Provide a letter to the Special Education Department from their doctor recommending the use of a service dog for their child at school.
3. Provide a certificate of training from a certified training centre of service dogs.
4. Provide the school with annual proof of that the dog has been vaccinated, in good health and is licenced by the municipality.
5. Assist in the training of the service dog to board, ride and alight the vehicle with their child prior to using the regular transportation service.

The Special Education Department shall:

1. Review the request for the student to use a service dog at school and approve where applicable.
2. Inform STWDSTS and the school using the Specialized Transportation Request form (TF012) that a student with special needs will be using a service dog as part of their daily activities.
3. Provide STWDSTS and the school with copies of the documents submitted by the parents in regard to the use of the service dog by the student.
4. On an annual basis review and approve the use of the service dog by the student.

The Principal in consultation with the Special Education Department shall:

1. Authorize and sign the Specialized Transportation Request form (TF012).
2. Obtain appropriate Board administrative approvals before forwarding the request to STWDSTS.
3. Assist the student in boarding the vehicle and finding an appropriate seat with space for the service dog.
4. Inform STWDSTS of any changes to the student’s transportation requirements.

STWDSTS shall:

1. Consult with the Special Education Department and/or principal on the special needs of the student and service dog.
2. Organize transportation for the student and service dog.
3. Inform the bus operator that a service dog is being used by one of his/her passengers.
4. Coordinate the training of the student, service dog, school and driver on transporting students with service dogs.
5. Send Service Dog Letter to Parents (TF030) to all parents of students riding the vehicle with the service dog.