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

What on earth is there to be so horrified about? They are clean. They are PAT dogs (PetsAs Therapy).

They are there to calm people who want to see them and give them a much needed boost. What's wrong with that?

What are you worried about catching? Zoonotic diseases are pretty limited from dogs. Human to human transmission however...

🙄 and that's not for the therapy dogs

I can assure you the patients are at far more risk from other humans.

Why would a psychiatric ward be an exception to your rule on this one OP?

As someone who has spent a lot of time in icu over the last year i couldn't disagree with you more

Filth? Are you worried that they take in a dog that has just been on a long walk around the local farms, eaten some sheep poo, rolled in a cow pat and then lead into the ward?

One of my best friends is in ICU at the moment and I know it would be a huge boost if his dog could come into him or even just see a dog.

You looked at the joy on that woman’s face and thought you would like to remove the source of that smile? It would prompt me to wonder whether the scheme could be extended.

Here we have a common or garden Goady Fucker in full (if somewhat obvious) swing 😒

My mum was in hospital last year for 14 weeks. It was honestly a terrible time for her and us. One day a volunteer turned up with a volunteer dog asking if anybody would like a visit. It was like the sun had come out, most people instantly cheered up and it was lovely

Good grief, please find some real problems to worry about.

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.

😂😂😂

If they’re bringing joy to patients then I think it’s a great idea. I’m sure none of the patients are forced to have a dog join them in bed.

Clearly you haven't seen the difference therapy pets can make to people in ICU, care homes, etc.

And yes I've never caught a bug from a dog, but I sure have from fellow humans!

No one has to interact with a therapy dog if they don't want to. They are impeccably trained and don't approach anyone who doesn't want them to.

I am allergic to all pets. A dog just coming into the same room is enough to give me a life threatening asthma attack.

Now I can’t even be sure that a hospital is a safe zone when I am at my most vulnerable.

It’s not like a pet friend hotel or pub, I can just self exclude. A hospital is for humans with life threatening diseases to be treated, not a place for pets.

Hospital visitors are more of a risk than a dog to Hospital hygiene. Have you seen how dirty some people are ?🤮

They don't just pick random dogs off the street op. Unless they have rabies, which let's face it, they won't. It's very unlikely you're going to catch anything from a vetted dog. Plus, only the people who want a visit normally get a visit.

Hope your recovery goes well.

PAT dogs have been a thing in hospitals for years, I considered enrolling my first, very laid back, GSD over 20 years ago.

I hope they check if anyone is highly allergic to dogs first (like me).
I would HATE to have a dog around me in hospital. I always mention dog allergy on admittance.

I think if there was any evidence of the dogs causing further illness the visits would have been stopped long before now.

I’m sure if you hate dogs it might scare you but I’m not sure one person has caught something in hospital from a therapy dog, directly or indirectly.
It’s okay to worry about contracting something nasty but I doubt it’ll be via a dog.
Just ask anyone you are contact with to wash their hands thoroughly, as they should be doing anyway.

Because the patients wouldn’t be immunocompromised and suffering from mood disorders can be helped by a pet animal. I’m not heartless.

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.