School Board Approval Templates

A school board proposal for a therapy dog is a formal document that outlines the educational objectives, risk management strategies, and logistical framework of an Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) program. It provides the Board of Trustees with essential data regarding liability, insurance, funding, and projected student outcomes to secure official approval for introducing a therapy animal into the learning environment.

Implementing a therapy dog program in an educational setting is not merely about bringing a friendly animal onto campus; it requires a rigorous adherence to policy, safety standards, and educational pedagogy. For educators and administrators, the challenge often lies not in the desire to have a program, but in the ability to articulate its value and safety to the governing body.

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for drafting a winning school board proposal for a therapy dog, specifically addressing the rigorous standards required by Boards of Trustees, including those operating under frameworks similar to New Zealand’s educational governance models.

How to Present AAT to a Board of Trustees

When approaching a Board of Trustees, it is vital to remember their primary function: governance and risk management. While emotional anecdotes about student wellbeing are powerful, they are rarely sufficient to secure approval for a permanent operational change. Your presentation must shift from “it would be nice to have a dog” to “this is a strategic intervention for student success.”

Understanding the Board’s Perspective

Board members are fiduciaries responsible for the school’s legal and financial health. Their immediate internal reaction to a therapy dog proposal often involves questions of liability: “What if a child is bitten?” “What if a student has an asthma attack?” “Who pays for the vet bills?”

To succeed, your proposal must pre-emptively answer these questions before they are asked. You must demonstrate that you have treated this as a business proposal rather than a pet project. This involves presenting a clear hierarchy of responsibility, defining who the specific handler will be, and outlining the certification standards the dog must meet (e.g., passing the Canine Good Citizen test or specific Therapy Dog NZ certification).

Structuring the Pitch

The pitch should follow a logical flow that aligns with the school’s strategic goals. If your school’s annual plan focuses on improving literacy rates or reducing truancy, directly link the therapy dog program to these metrics. Use the “Problem-Solution-Proof” model:

• Problem: Identify a specific issue (e.g., high anxiety levels in Year 9 students or low engagement in reading recovery).
• Solution: Introduce a targeted Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) intervention.
• Proof: Cite research and case studies demonstrating the efficacy of AAT in resolving similar problems.

The Core Components of a Winning Proposal

A professional proposal document serves as the roadmap for your program. It should be detailed enough to stand alone without your verbal explanation. Below are the essential sections you must include.

1. Executive Summary

This is a one-page overview of the entire proposal. It should succinctly state the program’s mission, the designated handler, the dog’s qualifications, and the expected outcomes. Many board members may only read this page in detail, so make every word count.

2. Needs Assessment

Data drives decisions. Include anonymous aggregate data regarding student welfare needs. For example, if your counseling referrals have increased by 20% over the last year, use this statistic to justify the need for alternative wellness interventions like a therapy dog.

3. Operational Framework

This section details the “Who, What, Where, and When.” It must clarify that the dog is not a roaming pet but a working animal with a schedule. Define off-limits areas (e.g., cafeteria, science labs) and designated “safe zones” for the dog to rest.

Addressing Common Concerns: Liability and Cost

This is the section where most proposals fail. You must provide concrete solutions to risk management. In the context of New Zealand and similar jurisdictions, this involves adherence to the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.

Liability and Insurance

Is the school liable for dog bites?
Generally, yes, if the incident occurs on school grounds under school supervision. To mitigate this, your proposal must include a letter from the school’s insurance provider confirming that the therapy dog program is covered under the school’s Public Liability Insurance policy. Many insurers require the dog to be certified by a recognized body (such as Therapy Dogs New Zealand or St John) to validate coverage.

Allergies and Phobias

You cannot ignore the fact that some staff and students will be allergic or fearful. Your proposal must include a draft “Management Plan for Allergies and Phobias.”

• Protocol for Allergies: The dog is restricted from entering classrooms with students who have documented dander allergies. Hand washing is mandatory after interaction.
• Protocol for Phobias: Interaction is strictly opt-in. The dog is always on a lead and under the control of the handler. Students who are afraid will never be forced to interact.

Financial Breakdown

Be transparent about costs. Boards dislike hidden financial burdens. Break down the budget into “Start-up Costs” and “Recurring Costs.”

• Start-up: Acquisition (if applicable), certification fees, equipment (crates, beds, vests), initial veterinary screening.
• Recurring: Annual vaccinations, flea/worm treatment, insurance premiums, food (usually covered by the handler/owner, but this must be stated explicitly).

Pro Tip: Explicitly state that the handler (often a staff member) assumes financial responsibility for the dog’s daily care, food, and home medical bills, relieving the school of the primary financial burden.

Sample Proposal Structure and Research Summaries

To bolster your school board proposal for a therapy dog, you must include a section dedicated to evidence-based research. This legitimizes the initiative.

Key Research to Cite

Include summaries of studies that support your specific goals. For example:

• Reading Confidence: Cite the University of California, Davis study which found that children who read to therapy dogs improved their reading proficiency by 12% over a 10-week period, compared to a control group.
• Stress Reduction: Reference physiological studies showing that interaction with therapy dogs reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increases oxytocin (bonding hormone) in both the child and the dog.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): highlight research indicating that therapy dogs facilitate social interaction for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Template Structure for the Document

When drafting your document, use the following headings to ensure professional formatting:

Implementation Logistics: Hygiene and Welfare

A school board will want assurance that the animal’s welfare is prioritized and that the school environment will remain hygienic. This is a critical component of the “Therapy Dogs NZ Business & Logistics” aspect of your proposal.

Hygiene Protocols

Outline the cleaning schedule. This includes:

• Grooming: The dog must be groomed, bathed, and brushed regularly to minimize dander and shedding.
• Waste Management: A specific plan for where the dog will toilet (off school grounds or in a designated non-student area) and how waste is disposed of immediately.
• Sanitization: Mandatory use of hand sanitizer for students before and after touching the dog.

Animal Welfare and Workload

Dogs can suffer from burnout just like humans. Your proposal must include a “Rest and Rotation” policy. A therapy dog should not work a full 8-hour school day. A typical schedule might involve working for 2-3 hours in the morning, followed by a long rest break in a crate or office away from students.

The “Two-Strike” Rule: Include a policy stating that if the dog shows signs of stress (panting, yawning, avoidance behaviors), they are immediately removed from the situation. This demonstrates to the Board that you are prioritizing safety and welfare over utility.

Gaining Parent and Community Buy-in

Even with Board approval, a program can fail without community support. Your proposal should outline a communication strategy to inform parents and garner support.

The Communication Plan

Propose a timeline for informing the community before the dog arrives. This usually involves:

1. Initial Letter/Email: An announcement explaining the program’s benefits and safety measures.
2. Q&A Session: A town hall or evening meeting where parents can meet the handler (and potentially the dog) to ask questions.
3. Opt-Out Mechanism: A clear, simple form for parents to sign if they do not want their child to have any contact with the dog. This is legally protective and respectful of family choices.

People Also Ask

How much does a therapy dog cost a school?

The cost varies significantly depending on the model. If a staff member owns the dog, the school’s costs are minimal, often limited to insurance adjustments or signage. However, purchasing a fully trained facility dog can cost between $10,000 and $30,000 NZD. Most schools opt for the owner-handler model where the staff member covers personal pet costs, and the school covers certification and liability.

What insurance is needed for a school therapy dog?

Schools typically need to extend their Public Liability Insurance to cover the activities of the therapy dog. In New Zealand, ACC covers personal injury, but liability insurance protects the school against civil claims or property damage. It is mandatory to consult with the school’s insurance broker to receive written confirmation of coverage before the program begins.

How do you handle students with dog allergies?

Schools manage allergies by creating “dog-free zones” and implementing strict hygiene protocols. The dog is usually restricted from the classrooms of highly allergic students. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can be used in the handler’s office, and students are required to wash hands after any interaction. An opt-out registry ensures allergic students are not placed in proximity to the animal.

What is the difference between a therapy dog and an emotional support animal?

A therapy dog is trained to provide comfort and affection to people other than its handler and must pass rigorous temperament testing to work in public settings like schools. An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) provides comfort to its owner specifically and does not require the same level of training or public access certification. Schools should only approve certified therapy dogs, not ESAs.

How long does it take to get a therapy dog approved?

The approval process can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months. This timeline includes drafting the proposal, presenting it to the Board of Trustees, allowing time for the Board to review liability and insurance, and completing the necessary dog and handler training certification. It is best to start the proposal process at least two terms before the intended start date.

Can any breed of dog be a school therapy dog?

While any breed can theoretically be a therapy dog if they possess the right temperament, schools and insurance companies often prefer breeds known for low aggression and high trainability, such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, or Poodles (which are also hypoallergenic). Restricted breeds or dogs with a history of aggression are universally disqualified from school therapy work.