Admission of pets to healthcare facilities: psychosocial benefits and infectious risks, following the new circular of the chilean ministry of health of Chile.

Abstract

Animal-assisted therapy in hospital settings has been practiced in North American and European countries since the 1990s. It has gained wide international acceptance due to its psychosocial benefits; however, it also presents significant health challenges, particularly from an infectious disease standpoint, as animals may transmit zoonoses. On June 19th, the Chilean Ministry of Health (MINSAL) issued a decree establishing, for the first time, a national regulatory framework with recommendations on this matter. This paper reviews the literature on the benefits and potential risks of implementing these recommendations in the Chilean hospital setting.