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Bright & Beautiful COVID-19 Notice – Updated

06-08-2021

As the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has announced relaxed mask guidelines, we would like to explain The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dog’s (B&BTD) perspective on making safe therapy dog visits at this time.

Since B&BTD operates in all 50 states and COVID-19 infection and vaccination rates vary across the US, B&BTD is unable to dictate “one approach” that works equally well for everyone.  Further, although there are US federal guidelines provided by the CDC, they make it clear that individual state and local regulations and rules maintained by businesses supersede the federal guidelines.  The CDC guidance still calls for masks in crowded indoor settings, such as hospitals. Businesses are allowed to determine whether or not to relax guidelines for indoor spaces.  Some businesses are continuing to ask customers to wear masks indoors.  All organizations are determining how to move forward.

While the B&BTD Office is receiving requests again for therapy dog visits, these requests are generally for outdoor visits.  For the most part, we are not hearing that hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. are comfortable yet with indoor therapy dog visits.  However, in some US areas, some facilities are opening up indoor visits again, while many are still being careful and limiting visits to outdoors.

The latest CDC guidance emphasizes that individuals need to use good judgment, be “on the honor system” and choose the appropriate actions on mask wearing.  When deciding how to proceed with your therapy dog visits, here are things to consider.  

• First, follow your state and local guidance.
• Second, obtain direction from your facilities, e.g., schools, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, etc. Find out their requirements before you visit.
• Last, consider your own vaccination status, your overall health, and the vaccine status and health of your family members.

Do not feel obligated to make visits where you feel uncomfortable or compromised in any way.

B&BTD’s COVID-19 Guidelines have been modified to reflect changes to the mask mandate and social distancing requirements.  Please refer to them for guidance on how to make both outdoor and indoor facility visits that are safe for you and your dog, safe for the people you are visiting, and in compliance with your local and state regulations and federal practices.

Our COVID-19 Facility Waiver has not changed [download from our website] and is an optional tool to make you feel more secure.  We are continuing to waive our monthly visitation requirements for now.  As the pandemic environment continues to improve, we will keep you posted on any further changes.

Please feel free to contact us via email at info@golden-dogs.org or call the office at 888-738-5770 if you have additional questions.  We thank you for your cooperation and support.

June Golden
Executive Director
The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc.