Pet visitation
Pets are important family members and may help people recover from illnesses and injuries. We allow your dog or cat to visit you during your stay at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center or Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center. Please follow these guidelines to ensure the visit is safe and enjoyable.
Request a visit from your pet
To request a visit, contact Volunteer Services at 706-509-5109 weekdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. After hours, ask your nurse to page Volunteer Services to request the information needed.
Other steps you must take to obtain approval for the visit include:
- Ask your physician to complete an order for your pet to visit.
- Complete and return the Release From Liability/Acknowledgement of Liability: Family Pet (Dog/Cat) Visitation form to Volunteer Services.
- Have your veterinarian complete the Family Pet (Dog/Cat) Visitation Program Health Certificate. Return the form to Volunteer Services at least 24 hours prior to the pet visit.
Before your pet’s visit
You will need to identify a handler who will bring your pet to and from the medical center. Before the visit, arrange the date, time and location with your pet handler and Volunteer Services. Evenings and weekends are the best times for pet visits. We typically schedule visits for 15 to 90 minutes.
Your pet must be healthy and clean to enter the medical center:
- Bathe and groom them 24 to 48 hours before the visit. Don’t forget to trim their nails.
- Check their overall health and attitude to make sure they are feeling well enough for the visit.
- Make sure they are free of fleas and ticks.
Pet hair and dander can bother others. To minimize shedding, put a sweater, coat or T-shirt on your pet. If possible, place your pet in a covered pet carrier when you move them through the hospital.
To prevent accidents during the pet’s visit:
- Avoid feeding them within two hours of the visit or limit the amount of food they receive.
- Bring a plastic bag or proper equipment to dispose of waste.
- Walk your dog before entering the hospital to encourage urination.
During your pet’s visit
Meet your assigned volunteer at the agreed upon time and location. They will escort you through a specific entrance and areas of decreased traffic flow. It may be necessary to step off an elevator if it becomes crowded. If you need to cancel the visit, contact Volunteer Services, who will cancel the escort.
Your pet is there to visit you, not other patients or visitors. When your handler and pet get to your room, your escort will post a sign asking staff and visitors to check with the nurse before entering.
During your visit:
- Keep your pet on a leash, supervised and in control at all times.
- Do not tie the pet to equipment or furniture or hand the leash to anyone else.
- Place the fresh sheet provided between you and the pet if they are going to be on the bed.
If your pet has an accident, clean it up immediately:
- Soak up pet urine using paper towels.
- Dispose of soaked paper towels or excrement in the plastic bag you brought for the visit. Tie the bag securely and place it in the trash.
- Wash your hands.
- Ask your assigned volunteer or the nurse to notify housekeeping.
In the event of an injury to any person or the pet, end the visit immediately. Notify your assigned volunteer and your nurse.
At the end of the visit, ask the nurse to page your assigned volunteer to escort the handler and pet out of the medical center. Wash your hands before leaving the room.