Service Animals

Thank you for choosing HSS for your care. We strive to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all. If you or your visitors need a service animal during your visit or stay with us, please review the information below.

“Service Animal” means a dog, or in limited cases a miniature horse, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks directly related to an individual’s disability, whether physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental impairment. A Service Animal is not a pet. Miniature horses may be permitted if they are housebroken, under the Handler’s control, and can be reasonably accommodated considering size, weight, type, and safety requirements. All other animals are not considered Service Animals. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not Service Animals under the ADA and are not permitted in HSS facilities.

As provided in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service animals are permitted at HSS in all areas where visitors and patients are allowed, including public waiting rooms, exam rooms, cafeterias and unrestricted patient care areas such as pre-op patient rooms and clinics. However, due to the nature of our care in some areas, service animals are not permitted in sterile or restricted areas. These include:

• Intensive care units – Orthopedic Special Care Unit (OSCU) and Step-Down Unit

• Operating rooms

• Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and recovery rooms in all the surgical units

• Procedure rooms where sterile technique is required

 Please note that emotional support animals are not permitted at HSS.

We are pleased to share information on neighborhood businesses that can take care of service animals, should you choose to make such arrangement during your time in one of the restricted areas listed above. These businesses are listed in our Neighborhood Directory.

Use of these neighborhood services is entirely optional and provided as a resource for patients or visitors who may choose to make alternative arrangements in the event their service animal cannot access a restricted area.

For further guidance related to service animals, please contact the Service Excellence at 212.774.7547.