May I bring my service dog to my Clinical Center visit?
Inpatients and outpatients may bring service dogs to assist them during their hospital visit. Service dogs may accompany patients in all situations except when the dog poses a health risk, or when the dog's behavior is disruptive.
Patients are responsible for their dogs' care during their visit. This includes feeding, grooming, and walking.
Should I bring paperwork about my service dog?
If you need a service animal during your hospital visit, you must bring the following:
- Name, address, and telephone number of the veterinarian who cares for the dog
- Any documents required by federal, state, or local regulations
Who needs to approve of my bringing a service dog?
Institute staff, the head nurse of your patient care unit/clinic, and the Clinical Center (CC) veterinarian, must approve of your bringing a service dog.
At least 1 week before your visit, the CC veterinarian must know about your visit and have your home veterinarian's contact information along with the telephone number of the clinic or unit where you will be seen. (Your admitting institute staff can assist with this.)
Once the CC veterinarian knows of your arrival, he or she will work with NIH security so that you can enter the NIH campus without delay.
Should I contact my service dog's veterinarian before my visit?
It is probably a good idea to alert your veterinarian that you want to bring your service dog to your hospital visits.
The CC veterinarian will be contacting your dog's veterinarian to discuss your upcoming visit. At that time, our veterinarian will ask to receive the latest health reports on your dog. If our veterinarian has any concerns, he or she will contact you.
What happens when I arrive?
When you arrive, the CC veterinarian will examine your service dog to make sure it is in good health.
If you return for frequent followups, your dog will be checked weekly; if you need to return less often, the veterinarian will check your dog each time you are admitted.
If you will be an inpatient, hospital staff will post a sign, "Service Animal in Residence," on your unit room door.
Where can I walk my service dog?
You may walk your service dog near the front of the Clinical Center's south entrance in the grassy area near the children's playground.
Disposing of your dog's waste
While walking your dog, please bring a plastic bag and be prepared to pick up any droppings. Dispose of the bag in the trash can near the playground.
Note: When walking your service dog, always use a leash.
Should I bring my dog's food and water bowls?
If you will be an inpatient, the Clinical Center veterinarian will provide sterile, stainless steel bowls for your dog's food and water.
May my service dog always stay with me?
If our veterinarian finds that the presence of your service dog creates health issues, or if your patient care unit cannot house your dog, your admitting institute will arrange to board your service dog off the NIH campus. If this is necessary, you will need to pay for boarding.
What if I am unable to care for my service dog during my stay?
If you are temporally unable to walk, feed, or do other care duties for your dog, the institute for your research study may provide staff to assist. But if this situation is not temporary, the institute will arrange to board the dog. If this is necessary, you will need to pay for boarding.
May visitors bring service dogs?
In public areas
Visitors with service dogs may bring them to public areas of the hospital. Service dogs that will go only to public areas (such as lecture halls or cafeterias) do not need to be examined by the CC veterinarian.
In patient care areas
Visitors with service dogs may not bring them to patient care areas without the approval of our veterinarian, your unit's head nurse, and/or other institute or CC staff.
Visitors may contact the CC veterinarian before their visit to make it easier for them to enter the campus without delay.
Questions?
If you have questions about bringing service animals into the Clinical Center, contact:
Lisa G. Portnoy, DVM DACLAM
Animal Program Director
Telephone: 301-435-5304
Email: portnoyl@cc.nih.gov
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