“ Improved health and well being through human-animal interaction”

The following are procedures for the Dogs On Call (DOC) pet visitation program, from VCU Health System policy # 7207.04

Please call the Center (804) 827-PAWS to obtain forms referred to in this document or answer questions about this program. – For further information on general hospital volunteering requirements please contact VCUHS Hospital Volunteer Services Offices (804) 828-0922. In addition, please visit the Delta Society website (www.deltasociety.org) for more information on certification. Currently, DELTA certification is offered when possible through the Center.

Requirements for Dogs on Call Volunteers:

• Volunteers who wish to participate in the VCUHS-designated DOGS-ON-CALL programs must complete all the requirements needed to be a volunteer in good standing in the Health System. This includes:

1. Application, Interview and Screening: Screening includes but is not limited to a criminal background check, reference checks and a pre-placement health assessment for specific areas of service.
2. Training: Training includes Health System safety, emergency procedures, and infection control plus specific training in DOGS-ON-CALL with their dog in the Health System setting.
3. Renewal: Participating in annual reorientation, annual health screening and in any other activities or training required by VCUHS.

Requirements for DOGS-ON-CALL Dogs:

• Adult dogs (at least one year of age) are the only DOGS-ON-CALL animals permitted in VCUHS. The following requirements are provided for volunteers wishing to enroll their dogs in any of the VCUHS programs:
  
  1. It is highly recommended that dogs be spayed or neutered.
  2. Owners who are considering becoming DOGS-ON-CALL volunteers must complete with their dogs the Delta Society Pet Partners Program.
  3. Volunteers must submit all paperwork related to certification/ registration along with current and renewal vaccination records and certification/registration renewal to the VCU Center for Human-Animal Interaction ( P. O. Box 980710 , Richmond , VA 23298-0710 ).
  4. The DOGS-ON-CALL program is scheduled monthly; however, there may be times when the volunteer is asked to come at alternate times.

Procedures for the DOGS-ON-CALL Program:

1. Prior to participation in the DOGS-ON-CALL program, unit staff will obtain verbal permission from the patient and/or family for visitation. Patients and families have the right to refuse to participate in the DOGS-ON-CALL program at any point during their stay.
2. Visitation will occur at a time coordinated in advance by the floor staff, the Center for Human-Animal Interaction staff, or by the Volunteer Services staff.
3. Dogs must be bathed and groomed within one day of the visit.
4. Dogs must be free of illness and/or infection.
5. Dogs must be free of wounds or sores and have a healthy coat and skin.
6. Dogs must be firmly under their handler’s control and be well behaved.
7. Female dogs may not visit while in estrus.
8. Dogs may enter the unit either in a carrier or on a leash and will remain on a leash at all times.
9. Dogs will be removed from dining areas during meals.
10. If the dog becomes disruptive, it must be promptly removed from the unit. Dogs that are not well behaved or are not under their handler’s control will have visitation privileges revoked.
11. Dogs will not enter patient rooms or be allowed on patient beds without permission by the patient’s nurse and/or physician. When such permission is given, a towel or sheet must be placed between the dog and the patient’s bed.
12. Patients with active infections, intravenous treatment, open wounds, and/or dog allergies will not participate in the DOGS-ON-CALL program without the approval of their physician entered into the patient’s medical record. In such instances, for any physical contact with patients that does occur, strict hand washing or cleansing will take place immediately. Volunteers must make sure that physical contact does not occur between the dog and any open wounds or intravenous therapy sites.
13. Health System infection control policies and procedures will be enforced throughout the dog visit. Strict hand washing by staff and patients will occur after contact with the dog. Use of alcohol-based hand cleaning gel is recommended.
14. If the dog remains on the unit longer than one hour, the dog will be taken outside for elimination needs. Dogs should be taken to outside areas that are free from pedestrians for elimination purposes. Handlers are responsible for bagging and appropriately discarding solid waste.
15. Any dog excrement found within the VCUHS facilities will be cleaned up and/or bagged by the handler. VCUHS Staff will disinfect the area immediately, wearing gloves throughout the cleaning procedure.