Disgusting Dogs going into ICUs at a hospital near you

[SummerFeverVenice]

Is anyone else horrified at the thought of “therapy” dogs going on hospitals’ wards and even into ICUs? I read this article and was throughly disgusted at the idea of animals and all their associated filth being allowed into hospitals.

Outpatient, psychiatric wards I have no problem with. But regular wards and the ICU?! Where infection control and hygiene must be upheld…surely this is a bad idea. In the article one of the volunteers even let her dog lick a patient’s face! Plus the top photo shows a dog that has climbed into bed with a patient.

I feel like dog worship has gone a step too far.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz7w4lzyg2lo

Hmm I've never caught an infection or a virus from my dog 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'd be more concerned about human visitors

Sounds like a great idea bringing a bit of joy to a difficult time I’m sure you could decline a visit

@vibratosprigato 😆😆😆

Behave

Agreed - far more likely to catch something from a human.

Yeah, what do doctors and nurses know about infection control, eh? I bet it's never crossed their minds. 🙄

Quite normal round my way (Paediatrics) although I'm fairly sure they don't come into our PICU. I'm not a fan of dogs but they don't cause much disruption to my knowledge.

People with their sick bug germs and colds worry me more in ICU.
I've never got an illness from my dog but zi have from people.

But I do fully understand why some people hate the idea of dogs in places like hospital.

I've been in ICU several times. From there to HDU to a normal ward, the day I could get to the front doors to see my DDog (we live a fifteen minute walk from the hospital, DH and the DC would bring her daily), was always a massive boost. I'd have loved to have seen a dog over almost any person.

Look at the joy on that woman's face...

I read this article and was throughly disgusted at the idea of animals and all their associated filth being allowed into hospitals.

There is no associated filth from dogs. Humans on the other hand ....................

I'm neither a dog lover nor a dog hater; I wouldn't choose to have one myself. However, the well-behaved therapy dog who came onto ICU when I was a patient there cheered me up no end.

Therapy dogs are usually registered etc and also have to follow strict hygiene pre visit eg being washed in hibiscrub or a similar antibacterial wash before they come. They aren’t just letting any random dog come for a jolly…..

Meh. If it makes ill people happy let them carry on. I've never caught anything from my pets. My actual offspring? Dp is on his 3rd cold in 4 weeks.

Horrified? No. There are strict rules about what pets can go into a hospital. Eg mine can’t as I raw feed.

I read this article and was throughly disgusted at the idea of animals and all their associated filth being allowed into hospitals.

What "filth" are we talking about?

Aye that woman in the article looks proper distraught doesn't she.

It's not something I can get myself worked up about tbh. I wouldn't want to be "visited" by a dog in hospital, because I'm not hugely fond of them and I don't think it would benefit me in any way. But I'm not against it for people who want it.

My FIL has picked up infection after infection during his hospital stay, he only went in after a fall. I think a few dog hairs won't make much difference to him, plus a dog visiting the ward would really lift his spirits, he'd probably get more attention from it than he's had from the nurses (2 severe bed sores later). We all love dogs in our family!

There are very, very strict guidelines on the dogs (and handlers) that visit, they're not just allowing people's pets free rein.
Dogs must be verified as free from bugs, parasites etc.

It bothers me. Not because of germs, but because I don't like other people's dogs and I don't want them everywhere. Sitting in a cafe where people have poorly trained dogs growling and barking at each other is bad enough, not to mention doing their business wherever. Let people be ill in peace.

What a weird, sad, joyless response OP.

The last conversation I ever had with my grandad (RIP) was about how much he enjoyed a visit from a therapy dog during what ended up being his penultimate hospital stay. It really perked him up and offered a nice distraction.

Yes, I agree Op. It's disgusting, those poor dogs could catch anything.

Therapy dogs have to be accredited, and the main organisation (Pets As Therapy) requires them to be well groomed, with claws trimmed, at all times; and they must not be fed a raw food diet. Also, part of the temperament testing includes a stipulation that they must not lick. Edited to add - and they must be up to date with worming.

They are only taken to see patients who have shown an interest, or whose relatives have requested it.

They give a massive boost to people in hospital - that’s why the doctors and ward managers allow them in. It’s not the doggy people demanding it, completely the other way round!

Who goes bro ICU is very much at the discretion of the consultants and most experienced nurses. I back their judgement over the risk/benefit balance

😂