Animals at School

District Therapy Dogs
Some district buildings have resident therapy dogs, who work along with a trained staff handler within the building. The purpose of the therapy dog program is to provide additional support to students and staff in both emotional and physical health. The professional therapy dog’s presence in the school setting fosters acceptance, tolerance, and good behavior, and they are specially trained to assist those with therapeutic needs to process and share their emotions. Occasionally, district therapy dogs and their handlers may visit other buildings for a specific event. If you have questions about the district therapy dog program or child’s exposure to district therapy dogs, please reach out to your building principal or to the Student Services office.

Animals in the Classroom for Educational Purposes
According to BOE Policy 6:100 and accompanying district Administrative Procedures, Dogs and other personal pets are not permitted in any Moline-Coal Valley school building, on District property, or at District events unless approved by administration for specific educational purposes. If a building or teacher is hosting an animal in the classroom for educational purposes, the staff member will complete an application for such purpose, and parents will complete permission slips for such purpose, prior to the event.

Pets & Comfort Animals on School Grounds
Comfort animal is an umbrella term that includes emotional support animals/individual therapy dogs/comfort animals. A comfort animal is an animal (typically a dog or cat though can include other species) that provides a therapeutic benefit to its owner through companionship. Emotional support animal/individual therapy dog/comfort animal or any other kind of support animal is NOT considered a service animal and is NOT permitted in any Moline-Coal Valley District school, on District property, or at District events. (BOE Policy 6:120) As much as we love seeing pets, they fall under the umbrella term of comfort animal as described above, and we must keep the safety of other students and the cleanliness of our school grounds a priority. If you bring your pet to school, or to drop off or pick up your student at school, please remember to either leave him/her safely in your vehicle, or wait for your student just off school g