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 would agree that they can't go into the ICU, given the stringent measures in place there. My late husband had open-heart surgery and I had to go in gowned up and with sanitised hands, etc.

However, I don't see any mention of ICU in the article? Maybe I've missed it?

I know people who work in hospitals and care homes and they've told me that therapy dog visits are the highlight of the week for many patients/residents.

Same! Why should a boost to another patients day be at the risk of my life? I just cannot understand why pleasure is a priority over my safety.

I’m sick of this trend of allowing dogs everywhere these days full stop.

And don’t compare them to children, children are human beings. That’s just odd.

And they are NOT your “fur babies”. Not everyone likes dogs or wants them in places like hospitals or cafes, or bounding towards them with you shouting “oh it’s ok, they’re friendly” 🤦‍♀️

YANBU

I work on a dementia unit and our therapy dog is an absolute miracle worker. She soothes the distressed and makes the sad people smile again. She is very well trained and is a wonderful animal.

There was a therapy cat on the major trauma ward when my friend was in. It's really cute. But then again I have cats. I thought it amusing that the handler asked me to sanitise my hands before I touched the cat, but I guess that's a good thing.

With dogs I can see some people not being keen. Some are scared of them. Of course they're really well behaved. It's like a guide dog.
It gives people who have dogs a lot of comfort. Obviously their own pets can't visit them.

There was one poor old fella on the ward, he'd been in hospital for at least couple of weeks. He said he lived alone. He then was talking about his beloved pet hamster, and how he's probably ok as he has an 'edible' toy in his cage. 🙁

They do where I work, they have all sorts of animals and birds that also visit too.

They're not going to be in ICU.

Presumably your allergy is flagged? In which case why are you terrified? They aren't going to randomly let dogs wander about. Hospitals will need to assess suitability as there will be plenty of people who don't want dogs near them - they may not like them, they may have allergies, they may have cultural reasons for not wanting them close. You won't be the only person who doesn't want a dog near them.

They had them on the children’s ward that my DD was staying on. They don’t just dash about all over the place while the owners/handlers yell out ‘he’s just being friendly!’. They check with patients before approaching them and don’t get stroppy if you aren’t keen (my dd wasn’t feeling up to it). A lot of people like them and there is no pressure to interact.

I remember when I nursed trained in the 90s we had a gentleman dying in ITU. He had a beloved dog that the family brought in and it lay on his bed next to him as he died. Never forgot that.

I also find it a bit weird that your thread title says "Disgusting Dogs" but you then go on to post that actually you love them?

I tell you this. My step sister was an ICU nurse and went on the ward with a heavy cold and no remorse at all. Better a dog than that.

But a psychiatric patient could be allergic, like you…?! I think the same “risk” applies. They would just know not to bring the dog to you, whether you’re in hospital or a psychiatric unit. It’s also not the “filth” that gives you an asthma attack. Try and chill - you’re at much more risk from your visitors.

By all accounts, the volunteer dogs have had very positive effects.

They will be vaccinated, wormed, de-flea'd and thoroughly groomed before going on duty, I wouldn't worry too much about germs of which there are plenty in hospital anyway. There aren't many responsible dog owners who catch illnesses from their pets.

However, op, if you don't want a dog visiting you in hospital, make that clear, It isn't compulsory.

I think it's good.

Yabu. HTH

A bit of dog slobber would be the least of your worries in hospital. I'd be far more concerned about MRSA, Cdiff and Ecoli. That and being left in my own urine, unable to eat, with nobody noticing or feeding me, as I saw with one poor gentlemen in a top London teaching hospital this very weekend.

As a senior icu nurse we did allow the occasional dog in especially with patients who had been on icu/ hdu many weeks. The joy they brought was incalculable and certainly helped the patient. Of course we don’t allow dogs near really sick or immunocompromised patients. The descision is made by senior nurses and consultants.

My dogs were the one thing that I desperately missed when I was in hospital for 2 weeks after having DD. I would have given anything to see them.

Currently I'm laid up with a horrid flu bug and guess who have been sat by my side cuddling me all day?

Most dogs have more empathy and emotional awareness than people, especially some of those nurses I experienced in hospital!

But these dogs are not the badly behaved dogs we see all too often in cafés and nor will their owners allow them to defecate within the hospital. Therapy dogs are highly trained. There would also be strict guidelines. If a person is blind, for example, they will be able to regain their confidence and independence far more quickly if their guide dog is with them. Similarly, a deaf person who has a hearing dog, who will be able to alert their owner where needed. Hospitals can be frightening places for anyone, but if you have extra needs this multiplies. I think that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages overwhelmingly.

Not even when you are in hospital fighting cancer? It’s not like I can just skip getting cancer treatment.

You call dogs disgusting and say you’re throughly disgusted at the idea of animals and all their associated filth being allowed into hospitals

Then you say 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

That’s a pretty amazing U-turn and drip feed.

Yes, they are disgusting and lovable, just like a toddler with snot running down their face. Only I’m allergic to dogs.

Ok trolly mctrollface

In the minority for sure but I agree with you OP! I would absolutely hate that if it were me, as I really dislike dogs. I realise they are not dirty per se but they feel like it to me, the drooling, the hair, barf. But good if some people enjoy it I guess.