AR-News: "pet" therapy & disease transmission

[Mary Finelli]

ARE THEIR BARKS WORSE THAN THEIR BUGS?
Doctors Warn that, while Beneficial, Pet Therapy Programs Should be Diligent 
to Keep from Spreading Animal Diseases to Patients
Globe and Mail, Dawn Walton, May 4, 2004

full article at:
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040504/HPETS04/Health/Idx


Calgary -- Worms. Bites. Viruses. Scratches. Bacteria. Instinctively, you'd 
think health-care providers would want to avoid introducing these icky and 
potentially deadly things into places such as hospitals, hospices and 
nursing homes. Indeed, there's apprehension about bringing dogs, cats and 
other creatures into health-care facilities despite a growing body of 
evidence that shows just petting a pet lowers stress, heart rates and blood 
pressure.

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