Pets are strictly forbidden in the hospital. That can cause a lot of sorrow with the owners who are sometimes in the hospital for weeks or months. And that while a visit from your four -legged friend can provide a faster recovery. In the Jeroen Bosch Hospital in Den Bosch, therefore, dogs, cats and even donkeys are allowed to visit their owners from now on.
Pim de Vries has been in the hospital for more than four weeks with a nerve pinch. He has to miss his dog Kaya all the time. “I think of him every day,” says Pim. “Kaya always makes up for my day.”
Lucky hormone
Until today, Kaya was not allowed to go to his owner Pim. But thanks to former doctor Hortence Haerkens-Arends, a ‘owner Beesje’ has come space and Pim can finally hug again with his Kaya. “It was fantastic, I had to swallow for a moment. I think the recovery is going faster because of this.”
And that’s right, says the former doctor. “The visit of your pet is fun, it is also a family member. But the most important thing is that pet has a positive effect on recovery. They ensure lower blood pressure and less stress. A lucky hormone is released when you see your dog or cat.”
Pim asked before if he could see Kaya, but that was still impossible at the time. “I really like that I know that I can go to the dog every week.” It sounds very simple, yet it was not easy. “The Belgians, French and Americans are much further with this,” says Hortence. “They involve a pet much easier in the recovery of the patient, we in the Netherlands are more on hygiene and rules.”
Lines
The pets that come to visit sickness must be toilet trained and must not run free. The doctor determines which patient is suitable to see his or her loyal four -legged friend. “Every pet is in principle welcome, from dogs and cats to rabbits and your favorite fiber.”
But they are not allowed to enter the hospital through the main entrance. “These are rules that we have in the Netherlands. Through the side of the hospital the animals enter our garden, the patient just comes to the garden through the hospital.”
Unfortunately not daily
Thanks to a collection campaign of more than 21,000 euros by students from the Dr. Pierson College in Den Bosch and Stichting Vrienden Jeroen Bosch Hospital has received a cozy terrace with a roof, there is a fence and even thought of poop bags.
In the meantime, Kaya does not deviate from Pim. “They really have to do this in other hospitals,” says Kaya’s owner. “Unfortunately I can’t see my dog every day, there are also others who want to see their pet. Otherwise it will be fighting here,” Pim says laughing while giving Kaya a hug.