20 CAR § 400-1806 – Pet therapy

(a) Animals will be allowed to be brought into the nursing home for a short period of time on a limited basis for therapy sessions.
(b) These therapy sessions must be supervised at all times to see that the patients are not in danger at any time during the session.
(c) Animals brought into the facility for these sessions should be animals that will present no danger to the patients.
(d) These sessions shall be sponsored by organizations, groups, or family members that are familiar with the actions and habits of the animals being used in the therapy session.
(e) Animals used in therapy sessions shall be properly vaccinated, and records of the vaccinations maintained by the facility.
(f) Pets must be maintained outside the building, and the area in which they are kept must be clean and sprayed on a regular basis to prevent rodents and insects.