Ambulance allowed 2 small service animals to be transported with patient from quick care, to ER for chest pain, hypertension & possible (MRSA) pneumonia.
Now that the patient is admitted into an isolation room for MRSA rule out, the charge RN is saying the service animals are not allowed in isolation rooms, per hospital policy.
So, my question is now that the animals are already admitted under quarantine, should the hospital be allowed to forcefully evict the animals? Can the patient be discharged if refuses to remove the animals (no where for the dogs to go). Aren't they contagious to humans now too? How are service animals regulated to "potty" in hospitals usually? Why would isolation affect their privileges? With it being NYE today, should the hospital wait until after the holiday (1/2/18) to evict the animals? And to where should they go? Animal Control? A veterinarian? By then the MRSA tests should be back then too, so wouldnt it be best to just wait?
It makes me so happy to see how many here are knowledgeable about the laws with regards to ADA service dogs, and "therapy pets" and the differences between them.
As far as I'm concerned, all pets are for emotional support. My dogs are better friends than any human could be. That doesn't mean the whole world needs to put up with them. Not everyone likes dogs.
Everyone wants accommodation for all their eccentricities these days, to hell with other people! Americans tend to generally be self centered. It's obnoxious.
Emotional support animals are legally protected in two ways: in travel, such as on airplanes, and in housing. Many people with these ESAs bank on the fact that stores, restaurant staff, and others don't know the laws with regard to these animals, so they get away with insisting that they are legally entitled to bring them anywhere.
There are no legal protections for "emotional support animals", there are only protections where the person meets the legal definition of disabled and where the function the animal provides meets the definition of a service animal under the ADA.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
There are no legal protections for "emotional support animals", there are only protections where the person meets the legal definition of disabled and where the function the animal provides meets the definition of a service animal under the ADA.
All dogs are "emotional support" dogs.
Wrong. The Fair Housing Act recognizes "emotional support" animals. Doesn't have to be a dog, either.
And actually, some dogs are livestock dogs or working animals, and are not pets or provide any kind of emotional support to their owners.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I have issues with people scamming the system, and as far as I am concerned ALL THREE of my dogs are "emotional support dogs" to me. They have gotten me through some tough times; they are everything to me. But I won't be bringing them to the grocery store or other places they don't belong. Because I am actually aware of others outside myself and realize that people can be allergic, afraid, or just don't want to be around my dogs.
It takes maturity and non-self-centeredness to understand what I just wrote however, and too many people today have none of those qualities. It's annoying and no wonder so many are upset these days. I think it hurts those who have genuine special needs for such service animals. Emotional support is far too gray. If you can't shop for groceries without your chihuahua in the darn food cart (yuck and yes, I have seen it many times)---or on your chest, maybe you should be getting home delivery as you are far too emotionally fragile for such mundane tasks. No, you are NOT special in that respect. It's a lot like parking in handicapped zones to me. Leave it for the true needs and yes, they should be registered, trained properly. I have seen "service animals" who created issues and were horribly behaved. They are NOT service animals if they act that way in public.
My 3 cats and dogs are definitely emotionally supportive. But again they stay home when I go out. I care about others' comfort.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
I recently had a woman call our unit to ask if she could bring her Chihuahua in when she goes into labor, as it's her emotional support animal and would help her with breathing during labor.
There are no legal protections for "emotional support animals", there are only protections where the person meets the legal definition of disabled and where the function the animal provides meets the definition of a service animal under the ADA.
All dogs are "emotional support" dogs.
That's not true. Emotional support animals are different from service dogs, but DO have protections in place.
1. What is an Emotional Support Dog?
An Emotional Support Dog (ESD or ESA) is a pet or animal prescribed a licensed therapist to provide a health benefit for those that suffer from an emotional or mental disability.
Emotional Support Dogs have rights that normal pets do not.
1). First, an ESA has access to almost all types of housing regardless of no-pet policies. ESA's are protected under the Fair Housing Act so that they can live with their owners.
2). Second, an ESA is allowed to fly with their owner in the cabin of any airplane. They are protected under the Air Carrier Access Act for in cabin travel.
3). Third, under both of these laws, an ESA's handler cannot be charged an additional fee for housing or airline access.
There are no legal protections for "emotional support animals", there are only protections where the person meets the legal definition of disabled and where the function the animal provides meets the definition of a service animal under the ADA.
All dogs are "emotional support" dogs.
That's not true. Emotional support animals are different from service dogs, but DO have protections in place.
1. What is an Emotional Support Dog?
An Emotional Support Dog (ESD or ESA) is a pet or animal prescribed a licensed therapist to provide a health benefit for those that suffer from an emotional or mental disability.
Emotional Support Dogs have rights that normal pets do not.
1). First, an ESA has access to almost all types of housing regardless of no-pet policies. ESA's are protected under the Fair Housing Act so that they can live with their owners.
2). Second, an ESA is allowed to fly with their owner in the cabin of any airplane. They are protected under the Air Carrier Access Act for in cabin travel.
3). Third, under both of these laws, an ESA's handler cannot be charged an additional fee for housing or airline access.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
This is the garbage I am talking about. NO the dog should stay HOME. The staff can't care for it if things go awry and it's dubious to me that it is safe for the baby, either.
Honestly, these dog owners are making it up as they go along. It's just crappy and not fair to those with documented needs for such support animals. People are way too emotionally fragile and selfish nowadays.
And cleaning up after dogs in a hospital? NO NO NO
I don't vote to put the animal in shelter cause they are over-full and some euthanize animals after a certain time. I am FAR too loving of animals to see that as a viable solution. But what is?
I do believe hospitals, clinics, restaurants, grocery stores and airplanes, for that matter ---- where germs can be an issue, and allergies not insignificant----need stricter guidelines as to what constitutes "emotional support" and what is a "service animal".......we need better laws, which have not caught up with the lack of common courtesy and sense in our society.
This is the garbage I am talking about. NO the dog should stay HOME. The staff can't care for it if things go awry and it's dubious to me that it is safe for the baby, either.
Honestly, these dog owners are making it up as they go along. It's just crappy and not fair to those with documented needs for such support animals. People are way too emotionally fragile and selfish nowadays.
And cleaning up after dogs in a hospital? NO NO NO
I don't vote to put the animal in shelter cause they are over-full and some euthanize animals after a certain time. I am FAR too loving of animals to see that as a viable solution. But what is?
I do believe hospitals, clinics, restaurants, grocery stores and airplanes, for that matter ---- where germs can be an issue, and allergies not insignificant----need stricter guidelines as to what constitutes "emotional support" and what is a "service animal".......we need better laws, which have not caught up with the lack of common courtesy and sense in our society.
The legal distinction is already pretty clear between the two; many entities just don't understand the difference. No hospital is required to take in an emotional support animal. There is no legal mandate for hospitals, clinics, restaurants, grocery stores or any other public space other than airplanes (and in housing on the private front) to accept emotional support animals. SERVICE animals, on the other hand, who have received extensive training, are given many more privileges in terms of where they can go and who must accept them (pretty much everyone).
Wrong. The Fair Housing Act recognizes "emotional support" animals. Doesn't have to be a dog, either.
And actually, some dogs are livestock dogs or working animals, and are not pets or provide any kind of emotional support to their owners.
The Fair Housing Act doesn't actually expand any protections beyond the protected use of an animal for assistance with a disability. The FHA clarifies and reinforces the ADA.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
The Fair Housing Act doesn't actually expand any protections beyond the protected use of an animal for assistance with a disability. The FHA clarifies and reinforces the ADA.
It also allows for "emotional support" animals, which the ADA does not.
Differences between service animals and assistance animals
Service animals are categorized as animals trained to do a specific task for their owner. The most common example is a guide dog. Service animals are allowed in public accommodations because of the owner's need for the animal at all times.
An assistance animal can be a cat, dog or other type of companion animal, and does not need to be trained to perform a service. The emotional and/or physical benefits from the animal living in the home are what qualify the animal as an assistance animal. A letter from a medical doctor or therapist is all that is needed to classify the animal as an assistance animal.
Emergent, RN
4,300 Posts
As far as I'm concerned, all pets are for emotional support. My dogs are better friends than any human could be. That doesn't mean the whole world needs to put up with them. Not everyone likes dogs.
Everyone wants accommodation for all their eccentricities these days, to hell with other people! Americans tend to generally be self centered. It's obnoxious.