Julie,
Yes, per recommendation from TDI - See below. I also attached a slide that we are using to communicate at our facilities.
Take care,
Alice Wanninger, CDVS - Mercy Health - West Hospital - Cincinnati, OH
Therapy Dogs International
Dear Facility Representative:
We wanted to inform you that at this time, we have strongly recommended to all of our volunteers to temporarily suspend their visitations as a result of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak. We have not prohibited them from continuing their visits, but we have made it clear, that it is in the best interests of everyone involved that they do not visit until more information becomes available.
At this time, the risks involved are too great for us to not take this action. We know that dogs were able to contract previous strains of the Corona Virus during the seventies.
We also know from previous outbreaks, such as MRSA, that the dogs are the first to be blamed for spreading the virus. This happened a few years ago, even though it was the TDI handler and the TDI dog who became infected from the visit.
We understand how important therapy dog visits are to your facility, so we do not want to do anything which may jeopardize them moving forward.
As more information regarding the Corona Virus becomes available, we will forward that along to our volunteers. We will stay in contact with you when our recommendations have changed, so that you are aware of our current policies.
Best Regards,
TDI Board of Directors
Ursula A. Kempe-President
