: Therapy Animals

Policy Date: 02/05/2026

No NHSBA Code

CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
THERAPY ANIMALS

Purpose
The Candia School District recognizes that specially trained therapy animals can provide
educational benefits for students. The Candia School Board authorizes the Superintendent or the
Superintendent’s designee to allow appropriate staff to make a therapy animal available to
students during the school day only as provided in this policy.

This policy is not intended to, and does not, allow students, parents, or staff to bring emotional
support or comfort animals onto District property. Individuals who bring onto District property
an animal that does not meet the definition of a service animal under policy IMGA or that has
not been approved under this policy or Board policy IMG, shall be asked to remove the animal
from District property.

“Therapy Animal” Defined
An animal that has graduated from an assistance animal training program affiliated with
Therapy Dogs International or a similar organization which adheres to the highest training
standards. Such a graduate animal has been trained specifically for the purpose of providing
emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship. Therapy animals are the personal
property of a District employee or volunteer and are not owned by the District. Therapy
animals do NOT meet the definition of “service animals” under Board policy IMGA or the
Americans with Disabilities Act.

Minimum Standards Required for Presence of’ a Therapy Animal.

1. No therapy animal will be permitted in school buildings or on school grounds during the
school day unless and until prior approval has been given by the
Superintendent/designee.
2. District employees will not require any additional pay or stipend for providing the therapy
animal or for being the handler and/or the owner of the therapy animal.
3. Supervision and care of the approved therapy animal is solely the responsibility of the
therapy animal handler(s).
4. The therapy animal handler will assume full responsibility and liability for any damage to
District property or injury to District staff, students, or others while the therapy animal is
on District property.
5. The therapy handler must maintain an insurance policy that provides liability coverage
for the therapy animal while on District property.
6. Approved therapy animals must be clean, well-groomed, in good health,
housebroken, and be current on all vaccinations and immunizations.
7. The therapy animal shall display appropriate identification indicating it is a therapy
animal at all times while on District property.
8. The therapy animal shall be under the control of the therapy animal handler(s) at all
times.

Aggressive or Defensive Behavior
The building Principal is to receive a verbal report within fifteen (15) minutes of any act of
aggressive – including vocalizations such as growling – or defensive behavior by a therapy animal
toward a human or any aggressive or inappropriate behavior by a student toward a therapy
animal. A full written incident report shall be submitted to both the building Principal and the
Superintendent, or designee, before the close of the following school day.

An act of aggressive or defensive behavior by a therapy animal shall result in:

1. An immediate end of the student’s current session with the therapy animal;
2. The prohibition of any further interactions between the therapy animal and
students for the remainder of the school day; and
3. Exclusion of the therapy animal from District property until the superintendent, or
designee, completes an investigation and authorizes the therapy animal’s return.

Allergic Reactions
If a student has a known allergy to the therapy animal, the student shall not have any sessions
with the therapy animal without the specific written authorization of the student’s
parent/guardian. If a student demonstrates symptoms of an allergic reaction during or after a
session with the therapy animal, the student’s parent/guardian shall receive written notification of
the possibility of their student’s allergy and that the student shall not have any future sessions
with the therapy animal without authorization from the student’s parent/guardian.

District Employee Handlers
Handlers who are also district employees volunteer both their therapy animal’s presence and
their services as Handler. The employee Handler acknowledges that the use of a therapy animal
requires minimal additional duties but does not substantially increase/change the nature of their
workload. The Handler is using the therapy animal in conjunction with their regularly assigned
duties to support their work with students. The employee Handler requesting a therapy animal to
be present on campus is required to submit a completed and signed Therapy Animal Handler
Acknowledgments and Waiver Agreement. In addition:

• The Handler will notify the building Principal each day that the animal is on site by
signing the therapy animal in and out using the standard visitor protocols;
• Handlers who are also district employees may have responsibilities that, in some
moments, conflict with their duties as a Handler. The Handler must therefore prepare,
and the building Principal must approve a handling plan;
• Handler must provide for the safety and well-being of the animal

Exclusion from District Property
The owner/Handler may stop using the animal as a therapy animal at any time for any reason
without penalty to the Handler. A therapy animal may also be excluded from District property by
administration, at any time, for any reason.

Adopted: February 5, 2026

CANDIA
HENRY W. MOORE SCHOOL
THERAPY ANIMAL HANDLER
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND WAIVER AGREEMENT

Candia School District (District or Henry W. Moore School) agrees to allow
therapy animals on its school grounds and building (the “Premises”) under certain terms
and conditions. This Acknowledgment and Waiver (the “Waiver”) sets forth the terms
and expectations for handlers of therapy animals in regard to the use of and presence of
therapy animals at school. In consideration of the district permitting a therapy animal on
the Premises (as defined below), subject to the conditions set forth in this Waiver, the
below signatory (“you”) knowingly and voluntarily execute this Waiver and agree as
follows:

Purpose and Use of Therapy Animal: The Candia School District agrees to
provide permission for you to bring the following therapy animal to the Henry W. Moore
School during the following times and for the following use:

Therapy Animal:

Name: (the “Therapy Animal”)
Registration Number:
Breed:
Markings:
List of Vaccines (attach up-to-date proof of vaccinations):
Certifications/Registrations:

Facilities: Henry W. Moore School, 12 Deerfield Rd, Candia, NH 03034

Date(s)/Time(s):

Purpose:

Handlers: (Names)

CANDIA
HENRY W. MOORE SCHOOL

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are writing to inform you about our new school therapy dog named __________.

Various research studies have shown that dogs in the classroom and school have positive effects on emotional “well-being, academics, attendance and stress reduction. However, we understand
that individual preferences and considerations may vary. Therefore, we want to offer you the opportunity to opt out of activities involving our school dog for your child.

If you choose to opt out of direct interactions between the dog and your child, we will ensure the dog does not go into your child’s classroom and we will work to carefully minimize any opportunities where they may cross paths. We value the comfort and choices of each family in our community and want to ensure that all students have a positive and inclusive educational
experience.

If you would like to opt out of this educational experience, please fill out the Special Activity Opt-Out Form by___________ with your decision. If we do not receive a response by that date, we will assume you give consent for your child to participate in activities with _______________, such as reading to the dog, opportunities to visit or learn to participate in care, classroom visits, etc.

Should you have any questions or require further clarification. please do not hesitate to email me.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Best regards,

Certifications/Registrations:______________________________________
(attach proof of Certifications/Training Plan and Registrations)

Conditions of Use: You acknowledge, agree, and affirm that:

(1) You will be solely responsible for providing adequate care and supervision of the
Therapy Animal at all times while on the Premises and shall not leave the therapy
animal unsupervised with students on the Premises at any time;

(2) You must submit a copy of an insurance policy that provides liability coverage
for the work of the handler and therapy animal while the two are on the
premises. Employee-Owned Dog: The Candia School District will reimburse
the dog handler for an insurance certificate which will be kept on file at the
Henry W. Moore School. The Town, the Candia School District and the Henry
W. Moore School should be listed as additional insured on the certificate.

(3) The handlers identified above will ensure that the therapy animal wears a collar
or harness and a leash no longer than four feet and maintaining control of the
therapy animal be holding the leash at all times while the therapy animal is on
the Premises, including during breaks, unless holding such leash would interfere
with the therapy animal’s safe, effective performance of its work or tasks.
However, the handler shall maintain control of the therapy animal at all times
and shall not tether the therapy animal to any individual or object;

(4) You assume personal responsibility for any and all damage to property and/or
harm to others or yourself caused by the Therapy Animal, directly or indirectly,
or in connection with fulfilling the Purpose;

(5) You will ensure that the Therapy Animal does not enter any areas designated as
animal free;

(6) You will maintain the proper registration of the Therapy Animal with local,
state, and federal entities as applicable;

(7) You will limit the therapy animal’s work to two consecutive hours at a time;

(8) You will maintain the proper health and temperament of the Therapy Animal,
which shall be appropriate for working with children and others in schools,
including proper grooming, sanitation, tick and flea prevention, spay/neutering,
vaccinations, bathroom training, and training to ensure the safety of the Therapy
Animal, students, faculty, staff, invitees and property;

(9) You acknowledge, agree, and affirm that the District has no responsibility for
the care or protection of the Therapy Animal;

(10) You acknowledge, agree, and affirm that you have read and understand the
District’s Policy Concerning Therapy Animals on Campus and that you agree to
follow said policy (attached hereto as Exhibit A);

(11) Use of the Therapy Animal may not be appropriate in all situations. Individuals
may have a fear of the Therapy Animal, allergic reactions, or simply are put off
or are distracted by the Therapy Animal. You agree, acknowledge, and affirm
that use of the Therapy Animal will be considered on an individual and ad hoc
basis. Should use of the Therapy Animal become inappropriate at any time, as
determined by the District in its sole discretion, you will discontinue use of the
Therapy Animal until such a time where it becomes appropriate again. During
all times where the Therapy Animal is not being used for the Purpose, you will
have an appropriate confined space to contain the Therapy Animal as to provide
minimal disruption to others;

(12) You will not allow the Therapy Animal to become a pest, nuisance, or
distraction to others;

(13) If the Therapy Animal accidently scratches, nibbles, or otherwise causes harm
to a person or to property, you agree to notify a Henry W. Moore School
administrator immediately verbally and then documenting in writing to the
principal and superintendent before the close of the following school day;

(14) You are responsible for teaching all persons who come in contact with the
Therapy Animal as to the proper etiquette for interacting with the Therapy
Animal as to avoid harm to both the Therapy Animal and the individual;

(15) You authorize the District to take necessary and proper action to control the
Therapy Animal in the event of an emergency. You agree, acknowledge and
affirm that the District will not be held liable for any damage or injury to the
Therapy Animal caused by the District or its designees in furtherance of safety
of person or property. You further agree, acknowledge, and affirm that the
District will not be held liable for any emotional distress or other claims of
injury related to the use of school action in the event of an emergency and that
you remain liable for any such claims.

Waiver and Release of Claims: You expressly waive, release, discharge, and renounce
any and all claims against the District, its past, present, or future board members,
administrators, employees, and agents or successors in interest (collectively, the
“Releasees”) from, and covenant not to initiate or cause to initiate any claim or
litigation, at law or in equity, for, any and all damages, actions, causes of action,
liabilities, claims, and demands whatsoever, including, without limitation, any claims
or damages resulting from injury to property or person or the Therapy Animal,
including death, which you may ever have, arising out of your use of the Purpose,
whether or not such loss or injury is caused by the negligence of the Releasees. You
expressly agree that this release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted
by the laws of the State of New Hampshire.

Assumption of Risk: As a handler of a Therapy Animal, you assume full
responsibility for providing adequate care and supervision of the Therapy Animal at all
times while on the Premises. You understand that an active school, such as the Henry
W. Moore School, poses a unique risk to the Therapy Animal. Such risks include,
injury, death, or loss of the Therapy Animal. The school environment may expose the
Therapy Animal to foreseen and unforeseen dangers, including proximity to students,
motor vehicles, access to food, wild life, and vegetation that may pose a risk to the
Therapy Animal, and others. You acknowledge that these risks exist, and assume such
risks in utilizing the Therapy Animal for the purpose.

Indemnification: You hereby agree to indemnify, defend with counsel
reasonably acceptable to the District, and hold harmless the District from and against
any and all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including settlement costs
and any reasonable legal or other expenses for investigating or defending any actions or
threatened actions) the District may incur in connection with any action, claim, or
dispute arising out of the Purpose, including intervention by the District, whether or not
such claim is caused by the negligence of the Releases.

Miscellaneous: This Waiver shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of New Hampshire without regard to the State’s
conflict of laws principles. You agree to submit to personal jurisdiction within the
courts of the State. The exclusive venue for resolving disputes arising in connection
with this Waiver shall be in state or federal court in the State. Any modification of this
Waiver must be in writing and signed by the party to be bound by the modification.
This Waiver constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to
the subject matter hereof. The invalidity of any portion of this Waiver shall not be
deemed to affect the validity of any other provision hereof. In the event that any
provision of this Waiver is held to be invalid , the remaining provisions shall be
deemed to be in full force and effect as if they had been executed subsequent to the
invalid provision being expunged.

By signing this Waiver you acknowledge, affirm, and agree that you have read this
Waiver and fully understand its terms, that you have given up substantial rights by
signing it, and that you sign it freely and voluntarily without any inducement.

Printed Name:_______________________ Date:______________________________

Signature: ________________________________________