✨✨General Discussions

What are your policies on dogs (who are not service animals but may be “emotional support” or pets in meeting rooms, meeting rooms where food and drink are served, hallways, dining rooms, etc.,? What is your community’s response when a resident or staff member is bitten or loses balance and falls because of another residents dog?

I live at Heron's Key in Washington State. Pets are not allowed in meeting rooms or where food is served, including Dining Rooms. They are allowed in hallways and other common areas.

Our dog policies are mostly basic for dog owners to control their dogs, get them immunized, and have papers and vet information on file, and don't let dogs annoy others. Recently a few dog owners are overstepping what should be reasonable for a given situation. The laws across the USA vary greatly State by State, but generally no dogs in restaurants except service dogs. Every dog is not a service dog.

Falls are a major cause of injury, disability, and physical decline in the elderly. Your risk management officer should be on top of this one. This needs to go to your resident's council or resident governing body due to the danger involved.

Channing House in Palo Alto, California does not allow any pets, except fish and birds, to live in the facility. However, guide dogs and other service animals are not considered pets. And for therapeutic purposes the assisted living/skilled nursing facility may adopt a pet. Visiting pets must be leashed or caged, and are not allowed in the kitchens and certain other rooms such as those for clean linens and medications.