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CDC: Ways to Protect Therapy Animals During COVID-19

Facilities that normally use therapy animals may not allow them at this time because people in many of these settings are at higher risk for serious illness with COVID-19. Follow local guidance and facility protocols for social distancing, masks, and other ways to prevent COVID-19 from spreading. If therapy animals are invited to a facility or other setting, follow the steps below.

•  Therapy animal visits require some level of contact between clients and the therapy animal team. When possible, keep animals at least 6 feet away from people and animals not participating in the visit. Handlers and participants should wear a mask during the visit.

•  Do not take therapy animals to visits if the animals are sick or have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.

•  When deciding if it is safe to visit a household, refer to CDC guidance on When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19.

•  People with symptoms of COVID-19 should not touch, be close to, or interact with therapy animals. If someone was sick with COVID-19, they should wait until they recover to interact with therapy animals.

•  Before and after every contact, the handler and anyone petting or having contact with the animal should wash their hands.

•  Do not use items that multiple people handle, particularly if items are brought to multiple facilities between therapy visits (for example, leashes, harnesses, toys, or blankets). If items like leashes must be brought between facilities, disinfect them after each use or facility.

•  Do not let other people handle items that go into the animal’s mouth, such as toys and treats.

•  Disinfect items such as toys, collars, leashes, harnesses, therapy vests and scarves, and food/water bowls frequently.

•  Do not allow therapy animals to lick or give ‘kisses’.

•  Do not wipe or bathe your therapy animal with chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or other products, such as hand sanitizer, counter-cleaning wipes, or other industrial or surface cleaners. There is no evidence that the virus can spread to people from the skin, fur, or hair of animals. Talk to your veterinarian if you have questions about appropriate products for bathing or cleaning your animal.

•  Do not put masks on therapy animals. Covering an animal’s face could harm the animal.

If you are a service or therapy animal handler, and you get sick with COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19, follow CDC recommendations for what to do if you get sick and recommendations for protecting pets if you get sick.

If your service or therapy animal gets sick after contact with a person with COVID-19, call your veterinarian. If the animal tests positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, follow CDC recommendations for what to do if your pet should test positive.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), June 16, 2020.