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

I'd be more concerned about the amount of germs children carry- and they are allowed in hospitals to visit sick relatives!

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

They're not in the operating room.

I’d much rather have a doggo visit me in hospital than a person.

My nan picked up the MRSA infection in hospital, and there were no dogs involved there. Nurses used to care for her then move on to the next patient without washing their hands despite the fact it’s very infectious!

You do know people in psychiatric hospitals aren’t invincible? You do know that they too can suffer diseases of the body as well as the mind?

I'm applying for my dog to be a therapy dog to go to school visits. We are working with a trainer to get her ready for the tests.
She's not allowed to be raw fed, has to have all the normal vaccinations and also kennel cough, has to be up to date with flea and worming treatments, has to be kept clean and well groomed before visits and will have to pass a behaviour assessment in a place chosen by the independent assessor who is not my regular trainer.
I'm a volunteer. It's an initiative school is doing to help boost attendance, because it will reach some kids. The teachers know who they are and will arrange for those kids to get the sessions, not the ones who won't like it.
Do you think I should not bother?

I was on a children's hospital ward 21 years ago and we had a therapy dog visit one day. And chick's just hatched on another. This is not a new thing.

I hope you are right that they are all washed down with Hibiscrub first.

Well I guess the clever people at the Royal Marsden must have done their homework before having the dogs in the hospital. They have a rather lovely dachshund called Twiglet right now, he wears a Santa suit when he's working.
He is pure wiggly joy.

My local hospital has a therapy Shetland. Probably a lot cleaner than some of the visitors.

Is it being suggested where you are?

Talk to staff if so

If not, don't panic

This. 100% this.

That's nice for you. I, however, would be horrified to see a dog in hospital, and one of my sons would have an allergic reaction if it came near him. Why is your reaction the one that counts?

I think this is a wonderful idea. I'd have no issues at all. I'm sure they won't be licking open wounds!

Are you in the ICU?

Yes I do know, but while 100% of cancer or ICU patients are immunocompromised, only rarely would psychiatric patients be susceptible to infection.

I think it's a lovely idea actually
What a nice boost for an unwell patient
I have a dog and I've never caught anything nor has anyone else I know
Whereas human infections like Norovirus runs rife and regularly shuts wards down
Obviously there are also conscious patients amongst patients who are on ventilators in ICU too
Dogs are not likely to be jumping on beds or come in filthy from rolling in mud either.
Common sense and logic has gone right out of the window these days

I dunno your language is a bit extreme but I'm with you OP, I don't want Dr Dog at my bedside!

What a lovely idea

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! 🤦🏼‍♀️

They are touching everything, seats , handles , coughing and snuffling, not to mention the stink off some people 🤮🤮🤮 dogs are far cleaner than some people . I am actually allergic to scents that people wear but I have to deal with that. World can't stop because of me and my allergies.

I’m with you OP, hospital wards are no place for animals. Apart from any cleanliness issues, many people are allergic to various dogs, and the dog hair left behind. I don’t think flowers are allowed in hospitals either (allergies again) which is sensible.

But no one is forced to interact with them. If you don't want to go near one, then don't. They aren't going to wait till you're asleep and throw a dog on your face. Just say no thanks and they'll go away.

And I'm sure they have a robust risk assessment to prevent people dying from dog allergies. Given there are 4500 of them in England alone and I've yet to see a story that someone has been killed by one, it seems like a non-issue. Presumably anyone with a life-threatening dog hair allergy isn't being presented with a therapy pet on their lap.

So to turn it around, why should someone who doesn't have to interact with the dogs or presumably even be near them get to prevent the many people who would benefit greatly from it from doing so?

Oh my God, this site is so miserable sometimes.

Maybe the patients find seeing a dog (or any animal) comforting.

I don’t hate dogs. I love dogs & all animals and donate to charities. I just can’t be near any animals because I am allergic to them. So the idea of them now being in hospital has me terrified.