Inpatient stays at Hospital Pedro Hispano can now include a special visit: from the patient's own companion animal. The Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos has approved a regulation allowing inpatients to receive their dogs or cats, creating conditions to preserve an important emotional bond during a time of particular vulnerability.
This decision reinforces a person-centered approach to care, aiming to meet the physical, psychological, and social needs of those admitted. Being away from home, routines, and loved ones can make hospitalization more difficult, and separation from a companion animal can be a significant source of emotional distress.
