Service Animals in School. Position Statement

It is the position of the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) that registered school nurses (hereinafter referred to as school nurses) are integral to the team planning process necessary to successfully integrate "service animals" into schools. A request to bring a service animal into the school setting presents questions due to the complex disability discrimination laws, emerging medical and psychological data concerning service animal benefits (Winkle, Crowe & Hendrix, 2012), various interpretations of what criteria to use to distinguish between a trained service animal and a household pet, and potential effects on other students and staff. School nurses assess, plan, and coordinate care to develop an Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHP) for students with special healthcare needs, including students who may require the use of a service animal during the school day. Just as a student may need a wheelchair or other adaptive device, service animals are essential to some students' ability to be at school. School nurses are leaders in the development and evaluation of school health policies and programs that address the health and safety needs of students in the school environment (ANA & NASN, 2011). [This document replaces the Issue Brief "Service Animals in Schools" (Adopted January 2012).]