Service Animals: What You Need to Know

Abstract

Service animals can play an integral role in the lives and education of students with disabilities. In addition to assisting with physical tasks, service animals can improve confidence, independence and quality of life for students, as well as help them to meet their educational goals. Teachers, coaches and administrators should have the knowledge and skills necessary to support and collaborate with students as they engage with their service animals in and outside of school. The purpose of this article is to educate school personnel about service animals and to help facilitate the successful integration of service animals into schools. Specifically, the article defines service animals and outlines the rights of students with disabilities and their service animals. It also provides recommendations for teachers and coaches to help promote inclusion in physical education and athletics.

Disclosure Statement

Cathy MacDonald and her service dog, Rain, are graduates of “Canine Companions”. The views in this article do not reflect those of the Canine Companions organization.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cathy MacDonald

Cathy MacDonald ([email protected]) is a professor.

John Foley

John Foley is a distinguished professor in the Physical Education Department at SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY.

Megan Valentine

Megan Valentine is an athletic director at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, NY.