FCPS families: in addition to signing the petition below, please be sure to email your comments to each of the board members and Dr. Liggins. There is a lot of misinformation about this policy change -- and the number of students that will be impacted -- and we need to proactively demonstrate our support. 

Meet Cora. Cora is a three-year-old golden retriever. She left behind her glamorous lifestyle as a show dog to pursue a life of service. After extensive training, she is fulfilling her destiny as a fully certified and insured therapy dog! With two years of experience as a therapy dog, as well as two years of experience as a canine counselor at UK Healthcare, Cora seamlessly transitioned to her role as a therapy dog all-star at Liberty Elementary. Adored by students and staff alike, Cora spends her time at Liberty helping to calm children in distress, and teaching healthy coping mechanisms for anxiety, while adding an extra sprinkle of joy and fun throughout the day. 

Therapy dogs are an invaluable resource in schools across the country. The benefits are well documented. Relevant research demonstrates that interaction with therapy dogs in educational settings positively impacts students’ social-emotional development by increasing confidence and empathy, and reducing social isolation. Research also demonstrates numerous cognitive benefits for students, including improved literacy, memory, and executive functioning. Additionally, there are benefits at the school and district levels as well, including increased attendance and learning outcomes.

Despite all this evidence — and after thriving in her role at Liberty Elementary last year —student support staff received confirmation last week that our beloved Cora will no longer be allowed at Liberty. FCPS originally announced that only fully certified and insured therapy dogs would be allowed on our campuses, which is a reasonable and acceptable policy. However, it was later revealed that FCPS will not allow even well-trained dogs that meet the previously stated requirements to serve as general therapy dogs. The current/revised policy only allows therapy dogs under a strict set of circumstances “as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act or as approved by the District Crisis response team” (i.e., during a specific crisis response)

It is important to note that therapy dogs in schools do not compromise hygiene or safety standards when proper protocols are followed. Certified therapy dogs undergo rigorous training programs that ensure they are well-behaved and trained specifically for working with children. Additionally, regular veterinary care ensures good health status while minimizing any potential risks.

Our students deserve better. ALL of our students deserve to benefit from the support and companionship that only therapy dogs like Cora can provide. Therefore, in support of students and staff at Liberty Elementary, we sign this petition to implore the FCPS school board and Dr. Liggins to change this policy, and reinstate privileges for certified therapy dogs in our schools. By signing this petition today, you are joining us in urging the FCPS administrators to recognize the immense value that certified therapy dogs bring to our students' lives. Let us advocate for the well-being and academic success of our children by allowing Cora to return to Liberty Elementary.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8217446/?fbclid=IwAR1fl763-MlmILxaFFZJNFV4mYlMhGh22ArILWWRCgJEOyA6HQ2a6GpChKc_aem_AdxXg3j-FhqLKnpXKCpLmjU0jaDfxdmBbPs4niTMY69Bs8En13F8Kv7PMqXWGk2daHo