Studies have demonstrated the benefits of having patients and residents interact with animals in care facilities, according to an article on the Los Angeles Times website.
To keep patients safe, The American Journal of Infection Control recommends a set of guidelines when it comes to bringing animals into long-term care facilities and hospitals.
Certain animals are considered at a higher risk of causing infection or injury to humans, such as reptiles, amphibians, nonhuman primates, mice, rats, hamsters and gerbils.
Patients, visitors and healthcare employees should also clean their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers before and after interacting with the animals.
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