The Associated Press | Posted: Monday, October 31, 2005 12:00 am
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - No dogs allowed.
That's the new rule at United Medical Center-West, which has barred therapy dogs as part of an update of hospital policies.
Margie Woods, a Therapy Dogs Inc. volunteer who brings her black poodle to the hospital to help soothe and cheer patients, said she was disappointed.
"But this is hospital policy and we will adhere to that," she said.
Hospital manager and Therapy Dogs board member Billie Smith said the decision didn't involve anything the therapy dogs or their handlers did. "It has to do with what a facility needs to do to get them up to snuff and meet national standards," Smith said.
Joan Ivaska, the hospital's infection control director, said allowing dogs into the hospital was not compatible with national infection control guidelines.
Information from: Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, http://www.wyomingnews.com