Service Dogs and Hospitals

(The information provided is the author’s interpretation of Federal and Florida laws and does not constitute legal advice)

I have been fortunate, in the years that I have used a service dog, that I have never personally been admitted. I did accompany my son for several days following a surgery. I was disheartened to learn that several of his nurses have had negative experiences with service dogs in the past.

Hospitals pose a unique situation for you and your service dog. It can be quite stressful for your service dog. In addition to sights, sounds, and smells that are unique to the hospital environment; either you are seriously ill, or they are picking up on your stress while accompanying a loved one that is seriously ill. If you have any reason to believe that your dog may have a difficult time, please find other arrangements during your stay. If your dog is not behaving, and particularly if it is acting aggressively, you WILL be asked to remove the dog. Fortunately, Mouse’s behavior was exemplary, and those same nurses that were hesitant at first started coming around just to get some love.

Hospitals can also create a unique situation when it comes to public access rights. Obviously, you would not expect your dog to accompany you into an operating room, where sterilization is essential, but those same restrictions may also be imposed for pre-op and recovery rooms. Emergency rooms could also pose a problem.  Most ER ‘bays’ are small and there are frequently multiple people needing to move quickly at the same time. If you are not the patient, it is not uncommon to be asked to remain in the waiting room, at least temporarily. This is frequently the case for anyone, regardless of the presence of a service dog.

The concerns regarding being admitted to a hospital with a service dog are important to address. When accompanying a patient, there are typically fewer concerns to bringing a service dog along. However, if you are the patient, there may by complications. It’s crucial to understand that the hospital staff cannot assume responsibility for the care of a service dog. Tasks including, but not limited to, attending to the dog’s bathroom needs, feeding, and exercise requirements obviously must still be met.
In situations where there is someone staying with you who can effectively manage these responsibilities, then it is generally feasible to have your service dog present. On the other hand, if there isn’t anyone available to attend to the service dog’s essential needs while in the hospital, then it may not be feasible to have the service dog accompany you.

If you are able to prepare before bringing your service dog to a hospital, careful consideration and preparation are crucial. It’s essential to anticipate potential stressors and make alternate arrangements if necessary. Understanding the limitations of your public access rights will make everything less stressful. Always ensure that your dog’s needs are met. Consequently, if a support system is in place to manage these aspects, the presence of the service dog may be feasible during the hospital stay. Otherwise, alternative arrangements for the service dog should be considered.

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