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Dogs in school: guidance, model policy and risk assessment

Understand what you need to consider before bringing a dog, such as a therapy dog, into school. Adapt and use our model policy and template risk assessment to make sure you keep pupils, staff and the dog, safe and happy.

Last reviewed on 5 November 2024
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 9672
Contents
  1. Why you might bring a dog into school
  2. Always consider the dog's welfare
  3. Steps to take before introducing a dog to school
  4. Teachers shouldn't take their own dog into school
  5. Risk assessment for dogs on the school site 
  6. Dogs in school policy

Note: the information in this article covers the use of therapy and literacy dogs, and 'school dogs'. It does not cover assistance dogs and parents/carers bringing dogs onto school premises. We're currently working on an article about other dogs on school premises. Select 'save for later' at the top of this article to be notified when it's available.

Why you might bring a dog into school

Therapy dogs

Some schools have therapy dogs that come to visit, or have a permanent school dog to provide therapy to pupils. Animals can "bring comfort and happiness to people with a range of disabilities and emotional needs" according to Pets4Homes.

Not every dog will make a suitable therapy dog, so any dogs coming into school as part of therapy sessions need to be suitably trained. Read more about this further down the article.

Literacy dogs are a form of therapy dog. Organisations bring