Oh and I should add that if anyone tells you the dog must go (barring
restrictions below) sweetly ask to talk to their supervisor until you get
the answer you are looking for.  Record who you talked to and the answers
they give you.  Don't threaten a lawsuit, just be firm and polite.  "Please
Mrs. Nurse, revieve your ADA proceedures for allowing service animals in
the hospital."  You may have to talk to the floor nurse, nurse supervisor,
your doctor, etc. until you hit an adminstrator level.  It's called a chain
of command.  It sure helps if you can say "Mrs. Adminstrator says it's ok.
Here's her number, my name is..."
Explain you aren't in the hospitaled to be babied but, to gain more
mobility.  That's what the dog is for, helping you do as much as you can by
yourself.  It's the best way for you to get better (doesn't that sound like
an OT or what?).
Keep us informed.  Remember be firm, polite, record, record, record and get
a bigwig on your side.

Elizabeth Thiers, OTR
email: [log in to unmask]
homepage: http://www.bv.net/~john/bethsot1.html

----------
> From: Elizabeth Hill Thiers <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Hospital Stay
> Date: Monday, July 12, 1999 7:20 AM
>
> Dana,
> This type of stress is definately the last thing you need before going in
> for surgery. Most hospitals should have a policy on service dogs, if you
> haven't done so before, ask for that policy.  They have to give it to
you.
> Your dog should be allowed to stay with you in your room.  Places dogs
> usually aren't allowed in our surgery floors (where you're actually
having
> your surgery), ICU's, etc.  Places where very fragile people are staying.
> Make sure to come in with a written plan who's going to take him out to
go
> potty, feed him, etc.  Let them know this is no therapy dog, this is your
> companion/ working dog (yeah, we know they all are therapy dogs to us
> owners aren't they).
> Have you contacted any service dog groups in your area that can assist
you?
> Best of luck to you!!!
>
> Elizabeth Thiers, OTR
> email: [log in to unmask]
> homepage: http://www.bv.net/~john/bethsot1.html
>
> ----------
> > From: Dana Marshall <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Re: Hospital Stay
> > Date: Sunday, July 11, 1999 1:40 PM
> >
> > Oh, that's in the works. My husband thinks however it's bad to mention
> > lawsuit when I am going in for surgery, since he thinks it'll affect my
> > quality of care. If they don't allow Gillis in, I won't push it, but
> after
> > I'm out, they ARE being sued. They've made me so mad, it's going to
> happen.
Dana Marshall
> > > >[log in to unmask]
> > > >http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/5326