A therapy animal provides comfort and emotional support to groups of people, often in settings like schools, and are not used to provide emotional support to their own/handler, nor are they trained for specific tasks related to a disability.
Poudre School District (PSD) allows approved partner organizations and approved employee owners/handlers of certified therapy animals to bring a certified therapy animal to school for a specific therapeutic purpose, and only by approval of District representative and the building or work site administrator.
Requirements to Participate: Partner Organizations
- A written agreement of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the therapy animal organization or individual and the school outlining the specifics of the program.
- A copy of medical and behavioral evaluations (including vaccination record) of the therapy animal(s) used at the school.
- A certificate of insurance (COI), with at least $1,000,000 in general liability coverage, from the therapy animal organization. The Risk Management department has some current COIs on file; please call (970-490-3627) or email Risk Management to see if there is a COI on file for your organization.
Requirements to Participate: Approved Employee Owner/Handler
- A written agreement between the employee and their school or site administrator and a District representative outlining the specifics of the use of the therapy animal.
- A copy of current vaccination records for the therapy animal.
- A certificate of completion of a recognized therapy animal training program.
- Proof of personal liability insurance, if it is not provided as part of your certification or membership with a therapy animal training program.
Please note: The Districts' liability insurance policy specifically excludes animals not used for an educational benefit or purpose, as well as any event or activity involving the riding of animals.
All students participating in animal therapy programs, provided by partner organizations or employee owners/handlers of certified therapy animals, should complete the Animal Therapy Permission Form.