A policy has been approved for service animals by the Millard School ?Board.

The school board approved new policies and rules to govern the use of service dogs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A new amendment to the act requires schools and other local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations to allow service animals to accompany people with disabilities.

Under Millard's new policies, disabled parents, visitors, employees and students must send requests in writing to the superintendent. Requests should be made at least 10 business days before bringing the service animal to school. The tasks performed by the service animal must be directly related to the user's disability.

A service animal must be a dog, although the law also allows for the use of a miniature horse under specific circumstances. All animals must be under the control of the handler.