Sleep Labs Going to the Dogs

Wow, the dog issue sure gives me a lot to mull over. I am very sensitive to the subject because a long time friend has a service dog. I hadn't considered the allergy aspect, and wonder how the sleep center in the article would respond to that question. How does a facility adhere to laws regarding accomodating service dogs yet protect those patients who may have allergies? Allergic reactions are not ideal in a sleep study setting. And I haven't had a dog yet that wouldn't have barked at every sound in a strange setting. Then nobody would get any sleep. Think I'll ask my friend her perspective on it.

As far as comfort, accomodations at my first sleep study in the 90's was awesome. Every one since has been adequate but without the "aahhhh" factor. The first time bed was quality all the way - luxurious mattress, pillows, and bedding and was ultra sturdy. I remember it was worth wearing all the wires just to get to sleep in that bed. Every one since has been flat, flimsy, and tolerable at best.

But back to the topic, interested in hearing further dog discussion, particularly from those with service animals.

Oh wow, I am so allergic to dogs. I could not sleep somewhere a dog had been days before. Any time I move I have to shampoo carpets and wash down walls.

Allergic reactions are not ideal in a sleep study setting.

No, they aren't. For my first study, the bed was great, the room was nice, the tech was pleasant... but they'd washed the sheets on perfumed Tide, and I spent the night coughing and sneezing, and woke up with a vicious sinus headache.

For my titration, they put me in an "allergy" room, with no carpets or anything, and brought over sheets that had been washed in unscented soap. Much better.

So evidently, the issue of allergies DOES come up, and some centers are able to deal with it. I suspect they would use a similar "allergy room" if someone had a pet or service dog.

This September after my mother had moved to the convalescent hospital after her fall where she shattered her shoulder, my sister was encouraged to bring the dog to see her and any other patient who wanted to pet him. He is a Pomeranian, a low allergy brand of dog, and when he was young he was a regular hospital visitor as a petting animal. It was found a few decades ago that visits from animals was very beneficial for recovery and people with chronic conditions.

There are service dogs that "treat" anxiety attacks, allowing people to function "normally". I could completely understand that this kind of dog would be allowed in with a sleep study, however I think an in home study would be far more beneficial for these people.

Kiralynx wrote:

Allergic reactions are not ideal in a sleep study setting.

No, they aren't. For my first study, the bed was great, the room was nice, the tech was pleasant... but they'd washed the sheets on perfumed Tide, and I spent the night coughing and sneezing, and woke up with a vicious sinus headache.

That is why I hate hotel rooms, between the locked down windows, room deodorizers, fabric softeners, and cleaning chemicals I can't breath.

Working in the sleep lab, I get allot of patients who tell me there sleep is disturbed by their pets. Most of the time in the morning when I get them up they state they slept so much better because they didn't have to get up and let the dog out, or it didn't bark during the night. I love dogs and have one myself. We have had to change the routine as our dog was waking us ( My girlfriend is also a sleep tech) during the day when we were trying to sleep. It took a few trial and errors, but we sleep much better now and still love our dog!!

Dogs can be trained more easily then humans. There is lots of information on training available including schools. But like with cpap you have to make the effort.

I wonder if I could have gotten away with taking my Shih Tzu with me as a service dog?

A dog in a medical facility....that's just ...nasty

neverbetter wrote:A dog in a medical facility....that's just ...nasty

Why? My dachshunds are cleaner than a number of humans I've encountered.

neverbetter wrote:A dog in a medical facility....that's just ...nasty

Why? My dachshunds are cleaner than a number of humans I've encountered.

Kiralynx wrote:

neverbetter wrote:A dog in a medical facility....that's just ...nasty

Why? My dachshunds are cleaner than a number of humans I've encountered.

Yes I agree with you....about my dog and some people I know!!!

BlackSpinner wrote:That is why I hate hotel rooms, between the locked down windows, room deodorizers, fabric softeners, and cleaning chemicals I can't breath.

Amen. And then they turn around and want to charge me $50 per dog to "sanitize" the room. I appreciate La Quinta -- they have certain rooms which are reserved for people with pets or service dogs -- and no "cleaning fee."