Page 14 | Disgusting Dogs going into ICUs at a hospital near you

SummerFeverVenice · 2024-12-02T16:56:51+00:00

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

bruffin · 02/12/2024 20:03

ImthatBoleyngirl · 02/12/2024 17:30

But these dogs are not poorly trained and they won't bark or growl. I doubt they will do their business in the hospital ward either! 🤦🏼‍♀️

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I am not a dog person but I spent a few hours with some therapy dogs last week, the youngest was only 18 months and bless her she was crossing her legs. They were all really well behaved and barely made a sound in all the time i was there. They just loved being petted by lots of strangers

Lookwhoitisnae · 02/12/2024 20:08

Hahaha, OP is on a wind up!
My old collie was a registered therapy dog, she brought such joy to the nursing homes and hospital we visited.

We both had to be thoroughly checked and tested and professional. Also clean!
I'll never forget the happiness she spread. She did not spread germs, worms or dirt. Occasional fur was possible! But the happy faces and smiles she brought was worth a few bits of hair.
We only visited people who wanted to see a dog, mostly old farmers who regaled me with stories of their dogs! Some people couldnt speak but the joy on their faces when they petted her was very rewarding. She loved it too!

Thoroughly recommend anyone with a solid, friendly dog to consider volunteering.

LBFseBrom · 02/12/2024 20:09

I agree with AGrowingConcern.

OP, nobody is going to force you to interact with a therapy dog, just make your wishes known. There aren't that many anyway.

moita · 02/12/2024 20:10

The thing that calmed my 6 year down after her drip was put in was a therapy dog coming to see her...I am forever grateful to that dog and the people that train them!!

jannier · 02/12/2024 20:14

EauNeu · 02/12/2024 17:06

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.

Edited

Therapy dogs are very well trained and vetted and are not forced on anyone.

broccolienthusiast · 02/12/2024 20:18

Can I have therapy cats instead?

jannier · 02/12/2024 20:18

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 17:19

I have just had surgery for breast cancer. The chances of catching more illnesses in hospital when you now have dogs roaming the wards is making me feel seriously ill and afraid.

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I'm sorry about your diagnosis in went through treatment a few years ago ...you are more at risk from visitors and children than animals. I worked through Chemo with children you just need good hand hygiene and keep away from anyone who is ill.

gotmyknickersinatwist · 02/12/2024 20:20

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 17:27

Yes, but they’re not going bed to bed making the rounds and I’m not allergic to people.

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I am.

Sevenwondersofthewoo · 02/12/2024 20:29

My dogs are large breeds and are PAT trained and visit hospitals and hospices as well as days at schools through my local council.

we had to jump through hoops to get in the programme but it was so worth it for the dogs and humans alike.

by the way therapy dogs have being doing the rounds for over 30years.

I’m Now training one of my dogs for specific training geared to diabetics and it’s intense but she’s loving it as well as me.

It’s not compulsory to have one but we’ve found that older folks like the dogs as it reminds them of when they had pets at home and now can’t for whatever reason.

Kids like the visiting and they learn too along with their parents it’s very interesting and intensive.

we do crufts and dog lovers to show case my breed and PAT into the bargain.

sunflowersngunpowdr · 02/12/2024 20:35

Clarice99 · 02/12/2024 17:03

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 like dogs as next as much as the next person but they roll in shit, fox piss and God knows whatever else. They have fleas, worms, parasites etc. they definitely aren't clean to the point they should be on an icu ward.

K0OLA1D · 02/12/2024 20:38

sunflowersngunpowdr · 02/12/2024 20:35

I like dogs as next as much as the next person but they roll in shit, fox piss and God knows whatever else. They have fleas, worms, parasites etc. they definitely aren't clean to the point they should be on an icu ward.

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Not all dogs roll in foul things. And you must know some really shit owners if they have fleas, worms and parasites. Get better friends.

Tara336 · 02/12/2024 20:38

@wastingtimeonhere I take one of my dogs into DF care home, I find her a comfort to have with me as I find the visits difficult. But I noticed a couple of the residents faces light up when we arrive and they love stroking her and telling me about their dogs. My dogs always happy to go in there and is pleased to see her favourite people. Even the residents who are unable to communicate that well will smile watch us as we visit DF

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 02/12/2024 20:46

sunflowersngunpowdr · 02/12/2024 20:35

I like dogs as next as much as the next person but they roll in shit, fox piss and God knows whatever else. They have fleas, worms, parasites etc. they definitely aren't clean to the point they should be on an icu ward.

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Humans have all that.
And more.

Clarice99 · 02/12/2024 20:50

sunflowersngunpowdr · 02/12/2024 20:35

I like dogs as next as much as the next person but they roll in shit, fox piss and God knows whatever else. They have fleas, worms, parasites etc. they definitely aren't clean to the point they should be on an icu ward.

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I suggest you read and digest the posts about therapy dogs. HTH.

Bloom15 · 02/12/2024 20:55

sprigatito · 02/12/2024 17:26

I find it confusing that the pleasure afforded to some patients by having the dogs visit automatically trumps the distress, anxiety and potentially illness caused to those who fear, dislike or are allergic to dogs. It's a sign of the times, though. This country has lost its fucking mind where dogs are concerned.

Exactly!

People go out of their minds over dogs

Rosscameasdoody · 02/12/2024 20:58

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 17:19

I have just had surgery for breast cancer. The chances of catching more illnesses in hospital when you now have dogs roaming the wards is making me feel seriously ill and afraid.

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I’ve also just had surgery for breast cancer. Was only in hospital as a day case - not much time to catch anything else - dog related or otherwise.

Original poster

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 21:01

mitogoshigg · 02/12/2024 18:12

Surely op your opening post should have said you were really worried that therapy dogs come into hospitals due to your serious allergy. This has nothing to do with cleanliness then. Instead we had various rants about dirty dogs before you drip fed in your allergies. Unfortunately many people claim allergies these days due to a dislike hence people here being less than sympathetic. If you have a serious allergy it will be noted, make sure they know but it needs to be a proper medically diagnosed one, if you haven't got a formal pet allergy I suggest you approach your gp once your healing from your current surgery and treatments to get the formal testing underway, it is also only with this you can refuse a guide dog at work etc

It’s both hygiene and infection control as well as the allergy.
Dogs lick their arse and then drool everywhere and try to lick people.
That’s my disgust at hospitals not being dog free.

Dogs are lovely animals, but surely a hospital of all places should be off limits. Everything has a place and a time that is appropriate.

I do have a formal allergy. It is in the system and gets written on my red wrist band.

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Original poster

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 21:01

Itsrainingloadshere · 02/12/2024 18:28

If you have such a severe allergy then you should have been flagging it already, after all what if the patient in the bed next to you or in the waiting room had a guide dog or a visitor with one?

It’s flagged. I think several of my posts have mentioned this.

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NantesElephant · 02/12/2024 21:05

Dogs in an ICU? If this is real…Absolutely revolting 🤮

Original poster

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 21:07

Itsrainingloadshere · 02/12/2024 18:22

I don’t think it works like this! You’re not going to be half conscious and wake up with a dog on your lap.

Give some credit to the staff in the wards please. Any visits will be with the consent of the patient. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill, honestly.

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The thing is that I know the staff are stretched thin as they have offered me food I am allergic to, and made other errors when I was in hospital. It’s not about not giving them credit, but the reality of the state of the NHS that gives me real concern. People are dying every day from poor care and lack of care.

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SalsaLights · 02/12/2024 21:09

Are dogs in every hospital? In every ward and treatment room and operating theatre? Have you seen dogs roaming about in the hospital you visit for treatment?

Or is it that this is a relatively minor initiative which is in selected hospitals rather than the NHS at large, and the chances of you being placed directly at risk are actually pretty small?

WhatMe123 · 02/12/2024 21:11

Therapy dogs are amazing for people and their recovery, I'm all for it personally

Bs0u416d · 02/12/2024 21:13

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 21:07

The thing is that I know the staff are stretched thin as they have offered me food I am allergic to, and made other errors when I was in hospital. It’s not about not giving them credit, but the reality of the state of the NHS that gives me real concern. People are dying every day from poor care and lack of care.

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Unfortunately you've confused things and it's hard to support your point of view. It's extraordinarily rare for someone to be so allergic to an an animal that they are are risk of life threatening anaphylaxis. But if that is you, then the cleanliness of these disgusting dogs is irrelevant. You're allergic to the proteins in their saliva. It's got nothing to do with hygiene and everything to do with your own hypersensitivity. With that being the case, why didn't you come from that angle to begin with. And I'm afraid it is all a bit of a drip.

Original poster

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 21:13

Mulhollandmagoo · 02/12/2024 18:36

It's quite literally the most relevant piece of information you could have given to support your not wanting dogs in hospitals!

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To many it is. I happen to think it isn’t the most relevant.

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Original poster

SummerFeverVenice · 02/12/2024 21:15

doublec · 02/12/2024 18:35

Gosh, I wish I would have been lucky enough to be visited by a therapy dog (or dinky pony) following each mastectomy. I also would have loved one to snuggle with when I was undergoing chemotherapy. Having been immune compromised for a good 18 months how, pets have been fine, it's people I need to be careful of in terms of catching an infection.

Am pretty certain, if not am 100% certain that before they allow therapy animals into the hospital, any hospital, they actually check if there are any patients who are allergic. Therapy animal do not routinely visit everyone in hospital anyway, and checks are made - they don't just turn up one day. OP, does the hospital you are in have any history of allowing therapy dogs in? Either way, all you need to do is speak to your breast cancer nurse and your allergy to dogs will be put onto your records. Should you find yourself in hospital again, during your pre-op assessment, mention to them your allergy of dogs. You should do this each and every time. I do similarly albeit regarding my allergy to a certain kind of adhesive that is commonly found on the standard dressing used post-surgery.

Edited

Thank you. I have been doing that 100% and have not seen even a hair of a dog so far. I do hope you are right and I will be able to keep trusting the hospital will keep me safe.

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