Guidelines for Service Dogs

What you need to know when arriving with a service dog

A blind man sits on a bench holding a walking stick next to a loved one and a service dog trained to help him get around.

What you need to know when arriving with a service dog

As a health care organization, we are dedicated to providing a healthy and safe environment for all who visit our facilities. We understand that service dogs may be required to accompany our patients and visitors. To ensure we are able to maintain health and safety standards for everyone, we ask that you abide by the following guidelines.


We allow only service dogs in our facilities. A service dog is a dog specifically trained to assist a person with a disability.


To confirm your dog is a service dog, you must be able to answer the following two questions:


  • Is the dog required because of a disability?
  • What is the specific work or task the dog has been trained to perform?


For complete guidelines (in English and Spanish), see below or download our Guidelines for Service Dogs (PDF, 72 KB).

Restricted areas

You and your dog are not permitted in areas where we generally do not allow the public, including:


  • Operating rooms or other areas where we perform surgical procedures or treatments
  • Areas where patients await or recover from operations or procedures
  • Areas where isolation precautions or special protective equipment is necessary
  • Food preparation areas
  • Medication preparation and storage areas
  • Clean or sterile supply storage areas
  • Critical or intensive care units and post critical care units
  • Semi-private rooms

Requirements for service dogs

Before arriving


  • Many of our patients have low resistance to infections. Please assure our staff that your dog is free of communicable diseases and fleas to the best of your knowledge.
  • Make arrangements to have your dog fed or watered outside of the Scripps building.
  • Your dog must be housebroken. Prompt cleanup of any bodily excretions is the responsibility of the handler. If your dog urinates, defecates, or vomits while in the facility, notify us immediately so we can provide you with materials for cleanup.
  • Your dog must be under your control at all times and maintained on a harness or leash. If the device interferes with the dog’s work or your disability prevents you from using these devices, you will need to have an alternate means of maintaining control of the dog.


While you are here


  • Your dog must not act in a threatening way. Our security staff may restrict a dog from the facility if it is behaving in an unfriendly or disruptive manner.
  • You must identify an alternate handler who can provide supervision should your care or treatment require separation from your service dog. Our staff cannot supervise or provide care to your service dog, but may assist with contacting an individual or helping you place the dog in a boarding facility if needed.
  • Should your treatment or service require separation from your dog, your nurse will work with you to plan appropriate care and activities to meet your needs.