ANIMALS IN CARE FACILITIES
CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOGS AND CATS IN HEALTH CARE, AGED CARE, OR CHILDCARE SETTINGS
Mirroring the positive role that pets play in broader society, visitation by animals has been associated with a range of positive mental and physical health outcomes in the health care and aged care sectors. In the school or daycare setting, animal associated activities may be for general education on interacting with pets, be part of a structured educational intervention, such as dog-assisted reading programs, or as support and therapy dogs to assist children with special emotional or behavioural needs. Despite the benefits, visitation of animals in these settings is not without risk. Visiting animals may carry zoonotic pathogens, serve as a reservoir of resistant organisms, or act as mechanical vectors for the transmission of human pathogens between patients, residents and staff. Careful selection and proper care of animals, as well as the implementation of appropriate controls within the facility, can greatly minimise the risk involved in such visits. The following general guidelines are recommended for companion animal (dog and cat) associated activities in the health care, aged care, or childcare setting to minimise the risks of zoonotic disease.
CONTENTS
93 Companion Animal Zoonoses Guidelines
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