Public consultation on this revised policy is now open. 
Feedback will be received until March 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

This policy conveys the board’s commitment to considering the use of a service animal by a student with a demonstrated disability-related learning need to enable meaningful access to education.

The policy has been revised to align more strongly with Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) 163: School Board Policies on Service Animals. The update features an expanded policy statement recognizing service animals as a potential accommodation for students to access the curriculum. Additionally, several clauses from procedures were incorporated into the policy to formalize legal boundaries, final decision-making authority, animal and handler restrictions, and the board’s role in provision and training. Updated procedures will be available once the revised policy has been approved by the Board of Trustees.

• 517 Service Animals for Students DRAFT

Public consultation on this policy is now open until March 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST.

Click on the survey link to provide your feedback.  Survey feedback for Policy 517.

The Upper Grand District School Board is committed to the learning of all students and provides a range of differentiated placements, programs and interventions to support student success.  It is the policy of the Upper Grand District School Board, in accordance with its obligations pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code, to provide individualized accommodation to students with disabilities to enable them to have meaningful access to education services.

1. Each request for a student to attend school with their service animal as a learning accommodation shall be reviewed individually by the board, considering the student’s dignity, integration, independence and disability-related learning needs, and the range of accommodations available to enable meaningful access to education.

1. The process of service animal accommodation shall consider the competing human rights of other students and of staff, the impact of the service animal on the learning environment, and the health and safety of all individuals who are or might be in the school, on school grounds, or at a school-related event.

First adopted: October 2006 (as Protocol for Service Dogs in Schools for Students with Special Needs (P06)), May 2018 (as Policy 517)
Revision history: April 2011 (as P06), May 2018 (new 517), January 2020 (new name), under review

• 517-Service-Animals-for-Students-Policy-Statement-2020

• 517-A-Service-Animals-for-Students-Procedures-Manual-2020

  • 517-A-Appendix-A-Request-for-Service-Animal-Use-by-a-Student-2020

  • 517-A-Appendix-B-Principals-Checklist-for-Service-Animal-Request-2020

  • 517-A-Appendix-C-Management-Plan-for-the-Care-of-the-Service-Animal-2020

  • 517-A-Appendix-D-Sample-Letters-for-Service-Animals-in-Schools-2020

  • 517-A-Appendix-E-Service-dog-sign-2020