Transporting "Non Essential" Service Dogs with Patient

MMiz

MMiz

I put the M in EMTLife
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I remember when doing my continuing education that it was said that patients had a right to have their service dog transported in the patient compartment.

What about those people who get their doctor to sign a note saying that their family pet is a service dog to help with anxiety? I'm sure that some will say that I'm discriminating and have no clue what it's like to have debilitating anxiety and related disorders, but I'd like to think that we only transport essential service animals (seeing eye dogs).

What do you think? Do we have a right to refuse to transport fluffy because it makes a patient feel better?
 
Define essential vs. nonessential. Deaf people, physically handicapped people, epileptics, and blind people often have service animals; these animals I would believe to be essential, especially as they have been formally trained for service. A physician's note saying that Fluffy is a service dog makes me uncomfortable, especially if Fluffy has never been trained. For instance, I theoretically could get my doctor to write me a note to say that I can drink alcohol as treatment for some disease, but does this mean I can show up to work sloppy drunk?

Now, just because I say that "no, I don't think we should transport nonessential 'service' animals," doesn't mean I know the exact legality of the situation, nor can I think of a good alternative other than to call a supervisor and have them figure things out based on the company's protocols.
 
If having fluffy ride along to the hospital is going to make the patient feel better, oh well. Nothing usually we can do when patient is upset other than telling them, "it's going to be ok." etc. Then let the hospital deal with it. Whatever gets me off scene faster.
 
I would think that i would transport to be on the safe side. You can't get sued if you do, but you CAN get sued if you don't. If they have a doctor's note, i would. When a doctor writes a note and puts his name on it, he is the one that has to explain that.
 
just like a DNR...i need to see the thing in writing before spikes gets a ride...unless it is a K-9 cop, search and rescue, cadaver, bomb squad etc. dog. then i use my best judgement.
 
Most service dogs owners will have a card stating that they are trained service dogs. I could care less about a Dr's note.

Now I have transported small dogs from a MVA scene, before. It is all at your own discretion.
 
OK, here's another spin, how BIG of a dog will you transport in any situation? Typically, service dogs are large (GSDs, labs, etc.). What if, in the off chance, your patient has an English Mastiff that weighs over 175# or a St. Bernard that about weighs the same? I'm not discriminating against big dogs (I LOVE big dogs), but if your patient is seriously injured, imagine how hard it would be to have an almost 200# dog in the truck.

Besides, where do you transport the dog, front or back? (You could argue both.)

1196974712_5098.jpg

(This is what a 226# English Mastiff looks like, for those who couldn't quite picture one.)
 
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NYS or Hudon Valley sent out notice that we are required to transport service animals. The list of animals included horses. I don't know how many people use service horses. I plan on breaking that rule in cases of a service horse since I can not fit a horse into my ambulance. Nor will i clean up horse poo.
 
we should have every right to,once we pick up the pt we become the service dog
 
i transport the dog on the bench seat...my partner doesn't like dogs. if i am driving though, the dog will ride shotgun. the only problem with a dog in shotgun is the cloths seats are harder to remove hair from. On a side note...after living out in the boons, i find that emergancy treatment for trauma on most animals can be done similuar to humans...you have to think outside the box when it comes to keeping dressings and bandages on though.
 
I would use the same criteria I would use for any transport in my rig. Is it safe for both me and my patient? Will it help my pt? I would also want to see a vest on the dog identifying it as a service animal and also showing that the animal is on duty.

I have several friends who train service animals and they say that the dog knows, when the vest is on, they are 'on the clock' and behave accordingly. If the owner is the dog's handler and that owner is incapacitated, who is in control of the dog?
 
Service animals are always on duty, they don't work 12 hour shifts.

It is your unit, you can make that decision. Just be aware that you will set yourself and your service up for lawsuits.

You can transport the animal in another vehicle, but it must go where ever the pt goes. You cannot have a family member take it home, unless the pt agrees to this. Then I would document this thoroughly to CYA.
 
why not just transport anyway if there is confusion and the dog isn't causing issues? cant you always put it in its cage?
 
reaper said:
Service animals are always on duty, they don't work 12 hour shifts.
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Actually no they don't. They have to be given down time. Guide dogs for the blind know when they are off duty. There are some service dogs who are used for the deaf, or those who can help those with seizure disorders who are 'on the clock' all the time, but they are the exception not the rule and a fairly new development in service animals
 
Seeing eye dogs rest when the owner rests. I have relatives that are blind and have had service dogs for 30 years, they also help train new recruits. The dogs down time is when they are at home resting. These dogs are part of the family and are always at their side.

I am not trying to argue with anyone. I am just trying to pass along information on this subject. This is an area that is not greatly known, by EMS or the public.
 
reaper said:
Seeing eye dogs rest when the owner rests. I have relatives that are blind and have had service dogs for 30 years, they also help train new recruits. The dogs down time is when they are at home resting. These dogs are part of the family and are always at their side.

I am not trying to argue with anyone. I am just trying to pass along information on this subject. This is an area that is not greatly known, by EMS or the public.
Click to expand...

Blind friend of mine says his dog becomes his wife's dog the minute the vest comes off. To the point where he sometimes has to have his wife put the harness and vest back on the dog. He knows that was his fault for allowing it to happen, but I think he kind of likes telling the story so its worth the inconvenience.

Also, currently has several dogs, his former guide dog who is now retired from service, his current guide dog and an assortment of family member/pet/dogs.
 
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Transported a service dog last week. The owner has "black out" seizures and had one at a local mall. Fortunately we were running in the big rig. I don't know how it would have worked in one of the vans. Its the first time I have started an IV on the fly while stepping around a German Shepherd. The dog was very very good. I was a bit apprehensive but it worked out.
 
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