What to do: ED physician brought dog to work

[skinzvictory]

I am a student completing my clinical hours in the ED. There is a "box" that the MD sit in to chart" This is pretty open for all to see.I noticed that the physician brought a dog crate in and kept the dog a small terrier with him all day.. The dog was very good and never once barked, and everyone was picking her up.. It was pet therapy for staff, but my concern is for any patient who may be allergic to dogs and violation of the infection control policy. What would you do?

[OCNRN63, RN]

It will not go well in the hospitals around here.

I am in the minority for my opionion also,but i was raised in a culture where dogs are considered "offensive and filthy".

I am still like that to this day.

i guess if it always caged,fine.

But i just do not like dogs around me,i cannot stand the smell and pet dander,sorry.

But i know how Americans love their dogs and you cannot tell them anything.

What does that mean? This is a pet-loving country; it's our culture, in a way. What is it you want to tell people? I don't understand your comment.

[toomuchbaloney]

It will not go well in the hospitals around here.

I am in the minority for my opionion also,but i was raised in a culture where dogs are considered "offensive and filthy".

I am still like that to this day.

i guess if it always caged,fine.

But i just do not like dogs around me,i cannot stand the smell and pet dander,sorry.

But i know how Americans love their dogs and you cannot tell them anything.

Don't ever move to or visit Alaska and speak those words out loud.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

It will not go well in the hospitals around here.

I am in the minority for my opionion also,but i was raised in a culture where dogs are considered "offensive and filthy".

I am still like that to this day.

i guess if it always caged,fine.

But i just do not like dogs around me,i cannot stand the smell and pet dander,sorry.

But i know how Americans love their dogs and you cannot tell them anything.

You can't tell Americans anything? or dog lovers? or American dog lovers? Please clarify when you make a sweeping generalization.

You work in a hospital and the smell of dogs bothers you? I find that quite the oxymoron.

As you are now in a different culture, hopefully you can reconsider that dogs are "offensive and filthy". In "America" they are revered as out best friends.

[MunoRN, RN]

It will not go well in the hospitals around here.

I am in the minority for my opionion also,but i was raised in a culture where dogs are considered "offensive and filthy".

I am still like that to this day.

i guess if it always caged,fine.

But i just do not like dogs around me,i cannot stand the smell and pet dander,sorry.

But i know how Americans love their dogs and you cannot tell them anything.

There are many cultures where people are taught that various other living things are "offensive and filthy", that doesn't mean we should accommodate those biases.

[wooh, BSN, RN]

There are many cultures where people are taught that various other living things are "offensive and filthy", that doesn't mean we should accommodate those biases.

Yeah, but I know those cultures hate their dogs and you cannot tell them anything.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

What does that mean? This is a pet-loving country; it's our culture, in a way. What is it you want to tell people? I don't understand your comment.

When I read that comment earlier I had to bite my proverbial tongue. I totally understand that she is not a dog person…lot of people aren't (even in the US ), but I think that last sentence ("…you cannot tell them anything.") was inflammatory and just meant to stir the pot.

[AppalachianSoul]

(Hi all, new to posting but have browsed forums for years!)

Of all the vile people the wind blows through the ED? Really?

Not trying to be rude but OP just sounds like they want to make something out of nothing, for whatever reason. I wouldn't think this way had they mentioned the dog being disruptive or otherwise bothering anyone.. Instead they comment on how well behaved the pup is and how the staff seem to enjoy the dog - then they are concerned with infection control or patients with dog allergies. As an all around dog-person I have had plenty experiences with people who don't like dogs or maybe just aren't familiar with them and they sort of nit-pick at everything about them. Also, I have to say that the 2 y/o with snotty nose and URI crawling around barefoot in the exam room poses a greater risk to anyone than the cute little pup hanging out with the MD.

[BlueDevil, DNP]

I bring my dog to work (primary care office) every day. He sleeps in my office, I walk him out back a few times a day, take him for a long walk at lunch. I could not possibly care less what people think about it, lol. My office, my rules. IME, ED providers often feel when they are on duty it is "their" ED, and he likely feels as I do. "My ED, my rules."

The dog isn't hurting you, OP. Mind your business.