Cincinnati Children’s is among the first pediatric hospitals in the country to reunite long-term patients with their pets on our campus at the CancerFree KIDS & Impact 100 Family Pet Center. It lets patients who stay with us five days or longer visit with their own family pet during their hospital stay.
Whose pet is eligible?
Patients who stay five days or more may be able to have their pet visit, if medical staff approves.
How do I request a visit?
Talk to your child’s Child Life specialist, call the pet center at 513-636-PETS (7387) or email FamilyPetCenter@cchmc.org. Please allow 48-72 hours for a response.
How do the logistics work?
Child Life specialist will schedule and coordinate the visit. Once families request a visit and medical staff approves, families will receive a confirmation from a child life specialist or by phone or email with instructions.
One adult family member must escort the visiting pet. Pets are not allowed to enter the medical center buildings or patient rooms, and pets cannot be left in a car unattended.
Which types of pets are allowed?
Dogs and cats. Infection Control must clear requests for other types of animals. Reptiles are not allowed. Families must answer questions about the pet before visits are approved. Pets should be current on vaccinations and bathed before a visit.
Contact us
For more information, talk to your child’s Child Life specialist, email us at FamilyPetCenter@cchmc.org or call 513-636-PETS (7387).
The family pet center is made possible by a grant awarded from Impact 100 to CancerFree KIDS.
3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3026
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