[nagdu] Hospitals & Service Animals

Sat Oct 16 13:53:07 UTC 2010

Dear All,
    In a message concerning Marsha visiting a prison, it was suggested that 
a hospital's operating rooms and ICUs were off-limits to service animals. 
Though it is true that a service animal would never be allowed in an 
operating room, as it is a sterile environment, this is not so as it 
pertains to ICUs. Though there may be circumstances that might necessitate 
restricting a service animal in intensive care. However, there is no 
absolute rule that service animals may not accompany a disabled person to an 
ICU.
    Similarly, there are other circumstances that may legally restrict where 
a service animal may go. The key elements are that a any place may refuse a 
disabled person the right to be accompanied by a service animal unless the 
presence of the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of 
others that cannot be eliminated by a reasonable modification in policies, 
practices, or procedures or if the animal is out of control and the handler 
does not take immediate action to correct the behavior. A direct threat 
cannot be something one "thinks" might be so but must pose a clear and 
present threat.
    The discussion of this topic is a very helpful thing because I know many 
people have some misconceptions about when a service animal may be excluded 
and why. I have attached some reading for everyone from the Centers for 
Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) concerning service animals in health care 
facilities. Please take the time to read this document, as it is must-know 
information that every service animal user needs, especially those of us who 
act as advocates or wish to staff the hotline!
    Though I am not an attorney, I feel I have a very good grasp on this 
topic, so please ask questions and offer comments. Anyone else who would 
like to chime in on this discussion is certainly encouraged to do so!

Fraternally yours,
Marion


    I wanted ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hope Paulos" <hope.paulos at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 12:24 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Going to Jail


>I don't see why it would be a problem to take her to the prison. I don't 
>think there are any laws prohibiting it-- all I know is about the ICU and 
>Operating rooms in hospitals. I'd call the prison personally, to discuss 
>the matter and maybe you could talk to someone with more authority.
> Good luck, and I'd be interested in the results you obtain.
> Hope and Beignet
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Marsha Drenth" <marsha.drenth at gmail.com>
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 11:46 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Going to Jail
>
>
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am not going to jail really, but will be visiting a prison next week 
>> for a
>> school field trip. Now typically I would take Emma on a field trip, but 
>> we
>> are entering a high security prison. I have asked my professor to check 
>> it
>> out, the first reaction from the prison officials was, it would not be
>> allowed for me to go into the prison with my SED. Are there any laws or
>> requirements for such a thing. We will have to go through security and
>> searches upon arrival at the jail. Now maybe it does not make much sense,
>> but don't you think, if that anything would happen, I would be in greater
>> danger with my cane, then with my dog. Like for example if the prisoners,
>> were to do something, they could use my cane as a weapon. Anyone have any
>> experience with prisons and guide dogs?
>>
>> Marsha
>>
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