Inova Animal Assisted Care Program

The Animal Assisted Care program (AAC) at Inova Health System was established in 2001 to complement patient rehabilitation & recovery efforts and provides patients with an opportunity to interact with dogs. The Inova Animal Assisted Care program: Works with the healthcare team and patient to allow a patient to visit with a dog while in the hospital Requires a written Doctor's Order before any patient is contacted Complies with the Center for Disease Control, the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America guidelines for therapy and service animal access