Guide and Assistance Dogs Policy

Policy for Guide and Assistance Dogs

The purpose of this policy is to set out a few simple principles for dogs on the Poplar Grove premises. 

  • The Practice welcomes assistance dogs
  • The Practice will manage the presence of assistance dogs without recourse to the owner and will pay particular attention to infection control and housekeeping whilst dogs are on the premises
  • Physical contact with a dog by clinical staff will be resisted during consultations or examinations, and whilst a general surgery is in progress
  • Hand washing or alcohol hand gel will be used by staff after any physical contact with a dog, whether during a consultation or not.
  • Cleaning staff will be advised to pay particular attention to a room known to have accommodated a dog that day.
  • In the event of an incident involving a dog, a significant event record will be created. As part of the high level of training an assistance dog receives there are unlikely to be any incidents giving rise to concern.

 Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)

  • Emotional support animals are currently NOT legally recognised as assistance animals in the UK; therefore, they are NOT permitted to come into the Practice.
  • GPs are NOT obligated to provide letters of support for ESAs, and Poplar Grove will charge a fee for this service if the GP chooses to do so. This will take up to 6 weeks to be processed and any letters provided for ESAs will focus on factual information, such as diagnoses, rather than opinions about the therapeutic value of the animal.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs are not service dogs and do not have the same legal protections as Guide and Assistance dogs. To prove a dog is a therapy dog, it needs to be certified by a reputable organisation after undergoing training and a temperament assessment. This involves demonstrating specific skills and behaviour’s that make it suitable for providing comfort and support in various settings, like a GP Practice. Therapy Dogs are NOT permitted to come into the Practice unless the official documentation is provided in advance of your visit, for consideration by the Management Team.  

Poplar Grove:                Approved April 2025