They allowed my dog to come & visit me at the hospital.
At one time children under 5-6 were not allowed to visit patients in their rooms, today most hospitals and care facilities allow dogs, cats and even pet birds in everywhere except the operating room the kitchens, or the Nurseries.
Elderly patients really look forward to the days of the week when therapy animals come for a visit, or someone comes to visit with their pet. I took my taco dog to visit my grandmother many times, put him on the bed and he would make her smile as he licked her hands.
Today I wonder if this is some kind to need to be touched more then just cleaned up or the bed made.
Strangest thing is what happens to those with Old Timers Disease, for some unknown reason some patients who cannot relate to humans, cannot remember their names or who they are will remember the name of an animal they see once a week.