Service Dogs and in-a-center dialysis

[mholiver]

I'd appreciate a discussion of and opinions of a patient bringing their service dog to a center for dialysis whether their normal hemo treatments or to a PD clinic on clinic meeting days.

First, ADA gives a disabled patient the right to bring a trained SD anywhere they wish to gKo exluding medical "sterile environments."
(there are other exceptions that include food prep area and also places of worship)

How would you be with a dog present.  What if the dog handler is accommodated at a distance but still in sight.  What is they were escorted to a private room on the premises.

A major reason I have a dog is agoraphobia or fear to leave my home, especially to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people.  It's a "feel out of control" condition.  The local hemo center has never had a patient with a dog before.  My PD clinic is equipped with private rooms.  They are ok as long as no sterile procedures are done in her presence.  They are dog friendly and are more than willing to dog sit right outside the room during the procedure.

In some cases, patients in waiting rooms are not inviting of a dog.  And in my experience, giving a heads up to a medical facility that I have a dog allows them to accommodate us away from the general public so help mitigate any problems.

[PrimeTimer]

Ha! Love the picture of your dog! I was just going to suggest a mask to amuse them when I saw your picture. Too funny! Unless they really do make him mask up...

My husband use to do home-hemo and our dog was always present. The clinic nurse knew about it and said so long as he wasn't a jump-in-your-lap kind of dog, meaning no sudden moves during connections and cannulation, he was fine to stay. Well, he was a big 'ol Blue Heeler and he sure wasn't going anywhere. He'd just lay on the floor during treatment. Was too lazy to do anything else. Heck, I've seen some dogs that are cleaner than some people.

[Charlie B53]

As a 'Pet Person' having both dogs and cats, I have no problem with a Service Animal in a waiting room.

Granted, there are those people that have fears of animals, and they may have a problem.  Facilities should make some allowances for Service Animals.

[Michael Murphy]

Centers have a separate room for patients who need to be isolated.  It would seem to me that they should treat patients with service animals in the isolation room.  Patient has their animal and they would be isolated from patients who are afraid of the animal.

[kristina]

Hello mholiver,
your dog looks just simply adorable and hopefully no one has any objection that you are together all the time, including during dialysis.
Perhaps it might be a good idea to approach your "usual" family doctor first and ask him/her to confirm - in writing - what you suffer from,
explaining, why your dog is with you at all times and with a confirmation like that, there shouldn't be any problem.
Good luck to you both and I must mention again that your dog looks just simply adorable.
Best wishes from Kristina.

[kickingandscreaming]

I'm all for dogs. Anywhere!  I do PD and my dog is frequently in the room with me when I hook up my cycler.  She doesn't breathe much and is just minding her own business.

[Rerun]

Our clinic does not have an isolation room.

I love dogs but I would not want to put any dog through all the beeping and loud alarms for 4 to 8 hours depending on your scheduled time.  what if they need to go outside.  Is staff supposed to leave patients to go take care of your dog?  I love my dog too much to put her through that 3 times a week.   

[Charlie B53]

Rerun makes a good point about the noisy alarms possibly upsetting an animal that hasn't had adequate training with alarm sounds.

This cold be a potential problem.

While on PD at home my dogs didn't have any problem with the alarms, other than to look at me, waiting for me to turn off the noise.

And they most definately have not had ANY Service Training.   I would be willing to bet that Service Dogs have had some exposure to disturbing noise and are taught not to respond other than to look at their Master to ensure they are aware of the noise.

[smartcookie]

According to my company's policy, service animals are allowed. She should be able to accompany you to your chair and lay calmly by it.  The policy specifically states not to use an isolation room just because a person has a service animal.  Fear of animals or allergies is not an acceptable reason to restrict the animal either.  The only reason a service animal would be asked to leave is if the animal is uncontrollable.  Staff are not allowed to assist in the care for the animal, even letting him/her out to relieve itself.  If the person who owns the animal needs to go to the hospital by EMS, staff are to tell EMS that the person has a service animal and the animal must go with the patient. 

Now this is just my company policy.  I think you should be able to take here on the treatment floor with you, as long as she stays right by your chair and is not disruptive.  She is a cutie, that is for sure!! 

[Riki]

Service dogs are not pets.  They are highly trained from an early age, exposing them to strange people, noises, and smells.  They are also kept on a strict food and water schedule, so the handler knows when the dog will need to go.  As long as the dog is wearing it's harness or vest, the dog knows that it is working, and the protection of their handler is their number 1 priority.  That is what they are trained for.

A few years ago, there was a visually impaired man in my unit who used a guide dog.  The dog was fairly large, a german shepherd.  He would come in, and sit by the man's chair for the entire treatment.  Halfway through, at the man's request, one of the nurses would give the dog a bowl of ice.  Except for the occasional bark, you wouldn't know the dog was even there.  At the time, the unit was quite small, only 7 chairs, and there was one patient who was afraid of dogs.  She was put at one end of the row, and he was at the other, and all seven of us lived harmoniously.

I started the process of getting a guide dog myself a few years ago, and would still like to get one at some point, but I was stymied by the Orientation and Mobility instructor at my local CNIB office.  For reasons unknown to me, she never sent the form I gave her to my chosen guide dog school, causing me to need to start the process over again.  This discouraged me, and I gave up, but I may try again sometime.

[smartcookie]

I think you should, Riki!  That would be an awesome experience to have and would give you more freedom.  I think if you are wanting to go back to school, a dog would be useful in getting around campus. 

[Riki]

I think you should, Riki!  That would be an awesome experience to have and would give you more freedom.  I think if you are wanting to go back to school, a dog would be useful in getting around campus.

My cane makes fellow classmates avoid me as it is.  I think a dog would make that 10 times worse.. *L*

[kickingandscreaming]

On the contrary, dogs are an excellent social lubricant.  Many people are attracted to dogs.

[Riki]

On the contrary, dogs are an excellent social lubricant.  Many people are attracted to dogs.

True, but when it comes to a service dog, people are supposed to pretend it's not even there.  Making a fuss over it will distract it from what it's supposed to be doing

[kickingandscreaming]

I can't ignore them.  I do resist touching them, though, but I still enjoy and admire them.

[smartcookie]

Me too, Kickingandscreaming!  I watch them and think, "My dog could never do that!  I can hardly get her to come down the steps without a fuss!" lol

[Riki]

I haven't got the time to start the process over right now.  The school sends you a packet of forms about an inch thick that need to be filled out by you, your doctor, your ophthalmologist (if going for a guide dog, and not just a regular service dog), an assessment needs to be done by your O&M instructor, and there are reference forms to be filled out by 3 references.  The school that I applied to also wants a video showing how you get around your own neighborhood (walking on sidewalks, or streets, crossing streets, using public transportation, etc).  I've been full on since my classes started in September.  I'm surprised I've found time to sleep. *L*  Maybe I'll try again in the future, but not right now.