Adopted: 11/11/25

History:

 

An Emotional Support Animal is permitted to accompany an individual onto school premises, subject to this policy and state and federal laws. Emotional Support Animals must be “harnessed, leashed, or tethered” or otherwise controlled by the owner/handler at all times. The District shall not be responsible to provide an Emotional Support Animal for any student or employee, nor shall the District be responsible to care for any Emotional Support Animal.

For the purposes of this policy and for use within the Iowa City Community School District, the term Emotional Support Animal is limited only to dogs. The sole function of the Emotional Support Animal is to provide emotional support, comfort, therapy companionship, or therapeutic benefits, or to promote emotional well-being. The use of an Emotional Support Animal is supported in writing by a qualified physician or mental health professional based upon a disability-related need. An Emotional Support Animal is not a Service Animal as defined by District policies and state and federal laws.

The privilege to bring an Emotional Support Animal into the school setting may be terminated should the owner/handler or the dog behave in a way deemed unprofessional or unsafe. If the Emotional Support Animal causes damage, the District may assess a charge to cover the costs.

Applications for Use of an Emotional Support Animal must be submitted annually.

Submit an Application for the Use of an Emotional Support Animal