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Service dogs and lengthy hospitalizations -- help

The Service and Therapy Dog forum is for all service and therapy dogs regardless of whether or not their status is legally defined by federal or state law, how they are trained, or whether or not they are "certified." Posts questioning or disputing a person's need for a service or therapy dog, the validity of a person's service or therapy dog, or the dog's ability to do the work of a service or therapy dog are not permitted in this forum. Please keep discussions fun, friendly, and helpful at all times.

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Luna Tuna Coyote

Luuuuuuna- Tuuuuuuna		 
 
Barked: Sat May 5, '12 3:18pm PST 
Hi, I don't have exactly the info you're looking for but I do work in a Psychiatric Hospital. I've worked here for almost 5 years. The only dogs I've ever seen enter the building are those who have scheduled therapy sessions for multiple patients. A few times I've witnessed conversations about patients who miss their dogs & want to see them. But their dogs weren't SD's, just their pets. If this thread is still going by later on this week I will ask around to see what policies there are here for your kind of situation.

Edited by author Sat May 5, '12 3:20pm PST

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Baby

What'd you say?- I wasn't- listening.		 
 
Barked: Sat May 5, '12 4:05pm PST 
Ok Nova, sorry for the miscommunication and thanks for clarifying. The hospital that wouldn't let him come in was actually a completely different hospital that had never seen me or him before and had not heard anything about us except from my mother. It is a hospital known for their psychiatric ward. Psych wards are a bit different just because there are a lot of... wide variety people there and even if they agree to let him go, I've been thinking more that I don't want Baby around people that might hurt him for whatever reason. But I'm still on the fence, even about whether or not I'm going.

Luna, that'd be great if you shared. =)

Thanks all for your comments.
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Dora CGC

Wag your tail- and the world- wags back
 
 
Barked: Sat May 5, '12 5:22pm PST 
I am not sure about physch wards but Dora has been to ER with me many times and in my room while hospitilized. Hubby takes her out for potty or one time he was working so I hired a pet sitter I knew to come and take her out. Dora is always on the bed with me but then again she is only 10lbs. It has always been fine with everyone. They are going to wash the bedding anyways.
A couple weks ago I needed to have a tooth removed with sedation. Dora stayed on my lap until I was woozy and then hubby took her and waited. It was the dentist who came up with the idea and it worked great. Dora would not be able to do any of her jobs if she was down on the floor.
Also when I go in for my spinal injections she stays on my bed until I go to surgery then when I come back the nurses always say" we will go get Dora and your husband for you". Also every place I go they put that I have a service dog right in my records. I would research and good luck.
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Happy

The Boy Wonder		 
 
Barked: Sat May 5, '12 7:14pm PST 
I'm not sure about a psych ward as I've been lucky enough so far to be kept out of them. But beyond that my service dogs have Always been not only allowed but welcomed. I've always had them stay, not visit as they are an important part of my ability to tolerate treatment.

I think that a hospital can be a bit over the top the first time for some dogs, but most manage fine. That said mine have always stayed on the bed with me... I never had put much thought into it. I doubt I'll change that because the dog being that close makes their reactions faster and more effective and will keep me stable enough to tolerate being handled by the staff, but it is something to think about.
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U

I miss you, U		 
 
Barked: Sat May 5, '12 8:40pm PST 
Psych wards are completely different from ERs, other types of hospitalizations, etc. in my experience.

First off, if you're on a locked ward, you're not exactly allowed to wander in & out whenever you feel like it. (That's why they call it a locked ward, duh. confused) You are only allowed out into an escape-proof courtyard (which may or may not have any grass in it) under supervision and only at scheduled times.

And yes, it's in the ADA that you are responsible for meeting the needs of your SD and the facility providing the accommodation is not.

So just toileting (never mind exercising) an SD presents a big potential problem for someone in a psych ward.

This leads us to #2. Don't just assume that you can have a friend/spouse/parent/whoever walk your dog for you because the visiting hours in psych wards are (again in my experience) very limited compared to other types of hospitalizations. That's because time during a psych hospitalization is very, very structured - everything's meal time, group time, art therapy, movie night, etc. etc. etc. The staff doesn't want the patients to have the opportunity to withdraw and get more depressed, so the schedule helps keep people engaged. I can see an SD being problematic here too - you will honestly not have very much time or energy to spend on your dog; it all needs to go to you (that's what you're there for, of course).

Finally, #3: not everyone in a psych ward is there for depression. Some may have anxiety disorders and some are potentially violent. Be careful. I've never felt personally threatened in a psych ward but something that sticks out like a dog would could become a target of misplaced aggression.

All that being said, I am not saying I would never take an SD with me on an inpatient stay - but it would depend on the type of facility. One that's unlocked and less structured, I'd consider it. So maybe the thing to do is to talk to your doctor about what to expect and decide together what would be the best thing to do.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. hug

- NoNameYet
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Tuvok

Toovy Doovy Doo- Ready and- Willing!		 
 
Barked: Sat May 5, '12 8:59pm PST 
Tuvok goes to the hospital with me when i need to go and I do have him lay on the bed next to me. He doesn't bother anyone and I need the comfort. Like Dora said, they are going to wash the sheets anyway. He even rides on the stretcher with me in the ambulance.One nice thing about a smaller SD is they do fit better on a hospital bed.

As for being on a locked ward with your SD..... This may be difficult. You may be able to work something out to have your SD with you and you may not. It depends on their setup.

I have been hospitalized for a few weeks and was allowed to have my SD with me. Mine was the first service dog to ever stay in the local mental health facility. The staff said it worked out so well that they would allow other SD in the future. Potty breaks were during times other patients were allowed outside with supervision so it wasn't a problem. Exercise wasn't a problem either because my dog was easily exercised in my room.
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Tuvok

Toovy Doovy Doo- Ready and- Willing!		 
 
Barked: Sun May 6, '12 10:34am PST 
I just wanted to add that other patients that would be a danger to your SD are usually a danger to others. Those that were violent were kept in a totally different hospital.

The biggest problem I had while hospitalized was other people wanting a little dog love.
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Mario

Its-ah Supah- Marrrio Time!		 
 
Barked: Sun May 6, '12 5:21pm PST 
"That's simply not how service dogs behave..."

Says who?
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Baby

What'd you say?- I wasn't- listening.		 
 
Barked: Sun May 6, '12 9:02pm PST 
Please! for the last time my dog didn't bite it out, I understand I worded it poorly the initial time but I edited the post and we've made amends (or so I thought) with Nova. He barely opened his mouth except to barely lick at my hand! Leave it be please. I'm not an irresponsible SD handler. My dog was well behaved and my dog has the same right to be with me as your dog.

Edited by author Sun May 6, '12 9:06pm PST

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Baby

What'd you say?- I wasn't- listening.		 
 
Barked: Sun May 6, '12 9:03pm PST 
And everyone LOVED him. We had visitors from all over the hospital in support of the SD.

Now please, just have a little faith in the SD teams on these boards, and if you already do at least put a little in me =(

Thank you all for your posts, I am taking them into consideration. I hope I don't need to be hospitalized though, doubtful, but I hope.

Edited by author Sun May 6, '12 9:12pm PST

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