Valley View Board Approves Agreement For Facility Dogs

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Some more four-legged friends will soon be spotted around Valley View School District, with the approval of a caretaker agreement with Indiana Canine Assistant Network for facility dogs.

According to Board documents, the agreement with ICAN would allow select District employees to receive facility dogs. The dog would be housed with the caretaker, "so that they are continually learning and training for a variety of situations."

The agreement includes a stipend of $750 per semester to the dog owner for costs like dog care and safety, dog health and continued training. In return, the VVSD employee/dog owner would agree to become responsible for the school’s support dog both during and outside of school hours and assume liability, according to Board documents.

The agreement approved on Monday will add a facility dog for Jamie McGee Elementary School, the District said. The caretaker will be Maria Roca, who is a special education teacher at the District.