In Sint-Truiden, Belgium, a Belgian hospital has dedicated a new area which allows patients to visit with their pets from home. Hospital staff and administrators are providing the opportunities to patients in palliative care or with illnesses that require long term in hospital stays.
Most hospitals worldwide do not permit pet visits because of hygiene and contamination risks, however the benefits to patients’ well-being has brought the new initiative to fruition.
According to Reuters, in conversations with cancer patients and hospital psychologists, the idea of a dedicated space – separate from the hospital, but still close enough for patients, the new pet pavilion opened last month.
Seeing your dog in itself does not cure you, but it gives you a lift. You cannot explain to a dog what’s going on and why you’ve been absent.
Greta Donnay, 56 as told to People
Both dogs and cats are allowed. Funded by a cancer charity for $152,000, the new space allows patients to meet with pets one hour per week. For now only dogs and cats are allowed.
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THIS IS BEYOND AWESOME! ALL HOSPITALS SHOULD DO THIS! IT IS GREAT MEDICINE!