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cases, the recovery area. Therapy, emotional support and companion
dogs, however, are not permitted in public places.
• What does the dog do? Service dogs have very specific training.
Legally, you can ask your patient if the dog is required because of a
disability and if so, what task the dog is trained to perform for the
patient. You cannot ask for documentation of training or require they
wear a vest.
• Be considerate of your patients. Any animal in a center open to
the public can make other patients wary. Sometimes it can even be
disruptive if the animal is poorly behaved. If we know a patient is
bringing a service animal, we try to schedule that patient at the end of
the day in order to be respectful of other patients (and staff) who
might have allergies or a fear of dogs.
Ann Shoemaker, MSN, RN
river road Surgery Center (Md.)
ashoemaker@riverroadsurgery.com
