Hospital Care Program

Human-animal interaction encompasses any situation where there is interchange between human(s) and animal(s) at an individual or cultural level. These interactions are diverse and idiosyncratic, and may be fleeting or profound.

The human-animal bond can be described as a mutually beneficial relationship between people and animals that is essential to the health and wellbeing of both. This includes emotional, psychological, and physical interactions of people, animals, and the environment. Most dog owners consider their dog a family member.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes:

  • The existence of the human-animal bond and its importance to client and community health
  • That the human-animal bond has existed for thousands of years
  • That the human-animal bond has major significance for veterinary medicine, because, as veterinary medicine serves society, it fulfills both human and animal needs

What happens when a dog owner is unexpectedly hospitalized for a month or more?

Across the country, every day, animal caregivers are hospitalized, but their dogs need to have their basic needs met including love and affection. Without a close family member or trusted friend who can care for their dog until the owner recovers, hospitalized dog owners are often forced to surrender their beloved dogs to a shelter or rescue organization. Never being able to see their dog again can greatly impact the health and wellbeing of the person.

We, at New Hope Dog Rescue, want to ensure owners and dogs can be reunited again.

New Hope Dog Rescue’s Hospital Care Program will provide temporary foster care for anyone needing to be hospitalized. This service is crucial to both the animal’s well-being and the owner’s peace of mind. For that individual, knowing that they will see their dog again can give the hope they need to fight for recovery.

How the Hospital Care Program works

Our Hospital Care Program can provide temporary care for the dogs while the owner recovers in the hospital. The dog/dogs can stay with a foster home for up to a maximum of 90 days.

Referrals from a human service professional are required to access this program.

How to make a referral for this program

Referrals to the New Hope Dog Rescue Hospital Care program may be made by a social worker, a nurse, or other human service professional. This program is open to owners that are hospitalized short-term for needed surgeries, mental health needs or drug and alcohol treatment programs to name a few.

Before the animal enters the program, a written agreement is necessary to outlines the terms of the relationship and to protect the interests of all parties involved. Please allow a minimum of one full business day for processing.

  1. Complete the referral form. The human service professional and the dog owner or authorized representative will need to sign this form.
  2. Complete the owner information form. The human service professional and the dog owner or authorized representative will need to sign this form.
  3. The dog owner will need to sign the veterinary retrieval form (if applicable). By signing this form, the owner allows medical information about the animal to be released to New Hope Dog Rescue to better care for the dog.
  4. Make arrangements for pet drop off/pick up. The human service professional/owner should make arrangements to transport the pet to an arranged drop-off and pick up location.
  5. Complete the discharge form. Indicate a tentative pick-up date on the form. If the pick-up date is not yet confirmed, leave the date blank. However, the human service professional will need to notify New Hope Dog Rescue at [email protected] at least two business days (48 hours) in advance of reclaiming the animal. This form is completed at the time the animal is being returned to the owner.
  6. Fax the completed, signed forms to 1.888.761.7016 or email to [email protected].

Additional forms are available by contacting New Hope Dog Rescue at [email protected].

New Hope Dog Rescue works directly with health care providers and social workers, to match the dog with an appropriate foster home that will give them the care and love they need while their hospitalized owner recovers. We facilitate the foster home placement through our Hospital Care Program.

During the foster term, New Hope Dog Rescue remains in close contact with the foster home to ensure the dog is settling into a loving and safe environment. New Hope Dog Rescue works with the foster home caregivers regarding any issues or concerns that may arise.

Our Hospital Care Program is free; however, we ask that pet owners cover their dogs’ necessary expenses while in the foster home (food, grooming, veterinary costs, etc.). Owners may also donate to this program if they wish to do so.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions you may have. We are happy to assist you.

The Hospital Care Program is sponsored in part by a generous donation in memory of Kelli Lauren Warren. Kelli had a lifelong love of animals, especially dogs, and participated in many New Hope events, such as the Mutt Strut. Kelli also adopted her own dog, a pug named Wooster, from New Hope. Kelli was tremendously loved by her many family and friends, and she is greatly missed every day.