RI's Women and Infants Allows Dogs to Visit Patients

My sister's friend is a few weeks away from having a baby. Needless to say, her whole family is counting down the days until the baby arrives. The only problem is that she has doctor's orders for bed rest in the hospital for the remainder of the pregnancy.

Considering the baby is several weeks away, the news came as kind of a bummer.

The one bright spot that she shared when I spoke with her yesterday is that, amazingly, her dog will be allowed to go to the hospital for visits.

This Rhode Island Hospital Lets Your Dog Visit

I found that remarkable. Security staff at Women and Infants Hospital in Rhode Island told us that the only thing patients need to do is fill out a short form and provide proof that the dog is up to date with its shots.

What a game changer for patients at Women and Infants. The worst part about being in the hospital is the loneliness. Family and friends try to visit when they can, but work and other obligations can limit the amount of time loved ones can spend at the hospital.

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Benefits of Dogs in Hospitals

Having access to a therapy dog in a hospital can have very real health benefits. I'd imagine having your own dog to pet could only amplify those benefits. As much as I love the idea, the only question that comes to mind is allergies. They must make it difficult for most hospitals to pull off.

Why Southcoast Health Doesn't Allow Family Dogs

A spokesperson for Southcoast Health confirmed our presumption that dogs are not allowed at St. Luke's, Charlton or Tobey hospitals.

"We understand the need for our patients to have visitors and the tremendous support and comfort they provide to their loved ones. However, to protect the health and safety of everyone in our facilities, patients are not allowed to have pets visit them in the hospital. Along with visits from family and friends, our volunteer team coordinates time for highly trained therapy dogs to help provide additional comfort to our patients and staff throughout the year. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of a patient’s care team in very rare cases."