Table 2. Summary of Animals in Healthcare Classification
and Selected Recommendations
Animal-
Assisted
Activities Service
a
Research
Personal
Pet
Program
Written policy
recommended
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Federal legal protection No Yes No No
Animal visit liaison Yes No IACUC Yes
IPC notification of
animal visit/session
Yes Yes Yes Yes
IPC consultation for
restricted areas
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Visit supervised Yes No Yes Yes
Visit predetermined Yes No Yes Yes
Animal and handler/
owner performs trained
tasks
See text Yes N/A No
Specially trained handler Yes Yes Yes No
Health screening of
animals and handlers
Yes N/A N/A No
Documentation of formal
training
Yes No N/A No
Animal can be a pet Yes No No Yes
Animal serves solely for
comfort or emotional
support
See text No N/A Yes
Identification with ID tag Yes Not
required
N/A Yes/No
Animal required to be
housebroken
Yes Yes N/A Yes
Permitted animals
Dogs Yes Yes N/A Yes
Other animals See text See text N/A See text
a
Policy to reflect ADA and regulatory compliance. Inquiries limited by ADA to tasks performed
for patient.
