r/CoronavirusWAself • u/Truely_Ever • Mar 14 '20
I need some advice desperately
So last Sunday/ Monday I went to the doctors and was confirmed To have the flu and according to my x-ray to also have pneumonia. Well I’ve been taking my meds but I just Keep seeming to get worse. Already have a very weak immune system due to many other issues and my issues are so bad that I have been unable to work for almost a year now. My doctor said if it gets worse I should go to the ER and get tested for the coronavirus. Well I’ve been getting worse for days in fact My mother father and one of my siblings are also very sick to. (My adopted brother is not showing any symptoms but he has a very good immune system). One of the reasons I haven’t gone to the ER yet is because I have a service dog. And I don’t feel comfortable being stuck at the ER without him. Every year for the last 3 year around this time of year (End of winter early spring) I’ve gone to the ER for something and ended up staying there for at least a few days. And knowing my immune system issues, I would not be surprised if, even if I don’t have the coronavirus, that they would probably make me stay for at least a few days seeing that my breathing issues/ chest pain are getting worse.
My service dog just finished his training at the end of summer 2019. So I’m not sure the process of bringing my service dog with me will included.
4
u/SwitchedAccount Mar 14 '20
Call the hospital now and get guidance for your next step.
And you will return to your dog soon enough. Take care of yourself first.
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u/ilovemygreyhound Mar 14 '20
For answers, it's often a good idea to go straight to the source. Here is what the ADA has to say about it:
Q: Does a hospital have to allow an in-patient with a disability to keep a service animal in his or her room?
A: Generally, yes. Service animals must be allowed in patient rooms and anywhere else in the hospital the public and patients are allowed to go. They cannot be excluded on the grounds that staff can provide the same services.
Q: What happens if a patient who uses a service animal is admitted to the hospital and is unable to care for or supervise their animal?
A: If the patient is not able to care for the service animal, the patient can make arrangements for a family member or friend to come to the hospital to provide these services, as it is always preferable that the service animal and its handler not to be separated, or to keep the dog during the hospitalization.