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

There's also a difference between ICU as in the ICU and units which provide intensive care. This thread makes it sound as if a load of randomers are going to be asked to bring their XL Bullies into the local ICU where deathly ill patients are being nursed. Rather than an official charity bringing in vetted and trained dogs to a unit providing intensive care - such as TBI.

Do you honestly think the NHS is going to take the risk of letting dogs just randomly wander around any ward without checking for patient wishes and allergies?

I'm also bemused by the "dog owners" argument. I have dogs. I don't take them into shops, cafes, restaurants or, as it happens, hospitals. They stay on leads, they are walked only where they are supposed to be, and I pick up after them. I realise there are dog owners out there that are twats, but dog owners are not one single homogeneous group.

Reasons not to want dogs in hospitals:

1. Hygiene - dogs are dirty
2. Germs - infection risk
3. Potentially lethal allergy to dogs

Not the order I’d choose.

Anyone who is immunocompromised is most at risk from people as they’re the most likely to carry and spread bacteria and viruses that are harmful to humans. Unless you suddenly remember you have a deadly allergy.

No not horrified, think it's a good idea. My local hospital also allows pet dogs in under strict conditions and in specific circumstances.

What will you do if a guide dog is in proximity at one of your appointments? Just as likely as being subjected to a pat dog on the ward, possibly more so.

I appreciate the friendly tone of your post.
I can’t check the days? I’m told a surgery date and then that’s it I am in hospital. I’m not visiting hospital. I was a surgery patient and will be going back for more surgery, chemo and so on.

I went from lowest to highest. It’s ok you’d choose a different order. Not sure what the point of your post is though.

You'd hate a hospital near me, they had therapy penguins visit!

I'm with you OP, I can see dogs being allowed in certain areas of the hospital but not the high risk areas. Dogs are not clean, they lick their arses, 🤮 some people are fine with that but I'm not. I like dogs as long as they are well behaved and I'll happily pet them but I'd hate for one to be in a hospital if I was immunocompromised.

Thanks for the lively discussion. I do have to sign off for a bit. Be back later.

Far more likely to catch something from your fellow human than from a dog. Some people are what my grandad called ‘soap dodgers’

My friend just lost her dad as he caught an infection in the hospital, developed pneumonia and died. Don’t get that from a dog.

Wait until Starmer's policies kick in, there will be dogs doing surgeries before long...

If I were in hospital I'd be absolutely thrilled to have a visit from a dog.

DD has SN and is terrified of dogs because of all those "just being friendly" ones which have run up to her or jumped at her.

I do think that therapy dogs can be a good thing but if DD was in hospital and saw a dog in the ward she would be terrified.

Oh EXACTLY!!

Therapy dogs have been going into hospitals for many years why are you getting all irate about it now . I am pretty sure that they would have noticed an increase in infection rates by now .

Well that’s easily sorted then, just add your dog allergy on your list that you already provide.

As others have said they aren’t going to have random dirty dogs running all over wards are they? They will be assessed therapy dogs, not just someone’s relative bringing their pet to see them after a muddy walk.

You mention illness and disease risk but don’t actually name any, I don’t think there are many that transfer from dogs to people anyway.

I used to work on a community rehab ward - people were there for a long time - sometimes up to a year. Visitors were allowed to bring the patients dogs onto the ward. It was wonderful. 😂😂 (everyone had their own room so you didn’t have to be close to a dog if you didn’t want to).

@Birdscratch 😂.

that's me throwing myself down the stairs tonight to get an injury

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

I feel the whole nonsense of 'therapy' animals is a con used by those who think they can have everything their way. Certainly they shouldn't be in hospitals.

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

You do realise these are ‘therapy’ dogs? Dogs specifically trained to provide people with affection and comfort, if they want it (who are you to deny them that??). A bit like service dogs - those used for the blind etc. They’re obviously not going to let yapping boisterous Fido from down the road go into hospitals. Educate yourself with what a therapy dog actually is before jumping on here frothing at the mouth. Jeez…..

I'm not a dog person and think they smell but wouldn't bat an eye at one in a hospital.

They don't spread human diseases or be there for any reason than they should be.

Let them bring joy!

OP honestly you sound unhinged. Some people don’t like dogs which is valid and fine but huge numbers of people love them and get a huge amount out of being in their company. Therapy dogs going into hospital are healthy and vet checked. As a pp said you have much more likelihood of getting ill from a human visitor or even staff member.