Animals - Therapy Companion in Public and Private Hospitals

Summary
These guidelines set out the appropriate steps to be taken in implementing a program of animal assisted intervention in NSW public and private health facilities. They seek to standardise practice and to encourage the adoption of animal therapies where appropriate. The guidelines cover issues involved in having a therapy companion animals program. They do not specifically consider issues associated with resident animals, nor do they apply to the use of animals that perform a specific function or task, such as guide dogs, where their management and practice is well established.

Date of Publication: 15 August 2006

Replaces: N/A
Author Branch: Primary Health and Community Partnerships

This document applies to: Area Health Services/Chief Executive Governed Statutory Health Corporation, Board Governed Statutory Health Corporations, Affiliated Health Organisations, Affiliated Health Organisations - Declared, Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres, Private Nursing Homes, Public Hospitals

Audience: Clinical, nursing, infection control, allied health, community health

Distributed to: Public Health System, NSW Department of Health, Public Health Units, Public Hospitals, Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres , Private Nursing Homes

Review Date: 15 February 2012

Policy Manual: Not applicable

File No: 06/4681

Status: Active

File link: Animals - Therapy Companion in Public and Private Hospitals
File size: 109Kb