Discover The Hospital Where Pets Are Allowed To Visit Their Owners

Juravinski Hospital in Ontario, Canada, is special. It is one of the few medical centers where patients can receive visits not only from their friends and family, but also from their pets.

Because, after all, they too are part of our lives and our hearts. As explained by those responsible for this beautiful project, far from causing problems due to the presence of bacteria , patients recover much earlier. Your mood, like your immune system, improves.

Each animal that enters the hospital must first go through a good washing and disinfection. Everything is controlled so that cats and dogs can give that much needed dose of joy that every patient needs. Today we want to tell you about this interesting initiative.

Juravinski Hospital and its awareness with patients

The “Companion Pet visitation Program” was created out of a sad but emotional story. Donna Jenkins, the director of Juravinski Hospital, had to cope with the early death of her 25-year-old nephew from lymphoma.

The young man, before dying, asked him to see his dog. And he made him promise, in addition, that he would do everything possible so that the rest of the patients could also see their pets when they were admitted to the hospital.

He commented that few things could bring as much happiness as hugging those dear friends. Thus, the center created a service through which family members can contact health and social services so that this visit can be attended, scheduled and carried out happily.

Miracles are seen every day with this new initiative

This project is funded by the charity Zachary’s paws for healing, named after the director’s nephew who passed away. It is here where family members can contact to receive the information and help necessary to allow those visits that are bringing such good results.

When patients face many days of hospitalization, discouragement greatly affects their recovery. Something as simple as visiting your pet increases your endorphins, regulates your breathing, and speeds up recoveries.

Another important aspect is the great benefit that these visits are causing in the oncology area. Patients receiving chemotherapy spend these hard moments with more calm and greater harmony if their pets rest at their feet, or on their laps, offering encouragement.

Pets “get ready” before visiting their owners

One of the reasons why pets are banned from entering hospitals or health centers is because they are a direct source of infections. However, those responsible for the Juravinski Hospital reached the following conclusions :

• Animals pose the same threats as family members who visit the sick.
• To control this source of bacteria, it is enough to properly wash and disinfect the animal’s fur before entering the hospital.
• Animals must wear a harness to control their movements.
• Pets can only visit their owners.  They are prohibited from coming into contact with another patient who is not from their personal circle.
• Pets enter the hospital accompanied by the family. However,  a social worker controls every situation and movement. Patients are often subjected to machines, drippers, or lines that pose a risk that must be controlled.

The therapeutic help that animals give us

The emotional support that pets give us in difficult times is, without a doubt, extraordinary. And  this support goes beyond the emotional plane. The therapies with animals show us the great capacity of pets to offer physical and even psychological help.

• Many children with autism manage to control their moments of anxiety or panic attacks thanks to the attention of a trained dog.
• Patients with diabetes or epilepsy are also cared for by assistance dogs capable of preventing high or low blood sugar. They also take care that their owners are not harmed during epileptic seizures.

An example of coexistence, nobility and affection.  Something that shows us, once again, the great support and valuable gift that our pets are.