Proposed legislation in Poland could soon grant patients in hospices and palliative care wards the right to be visited by their pets. While visits are currently permitted in many facilities, there is no universal legal framework ensuring this right. The initiative is being championed by Dr. Tomasz Dzierżanowski, director of the Palliative Medicine Clinic at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Dzierżanowski stated that the presence of a pet can alleviate the physical and emotional suffering of terminally ill patients, particularly in an era he describes as experiencing an "epidemic of loneliness." He noted that many elderly patients are isolated, having outlived their social circles, while younger patients may lack deep friendships due to an increasing reliance on digital interactions.
The catalyst for this legislative push was a seriously ill cancer patient named Waldemar, who was primarily concerned about the well-being of his two cats. Dzierżanowski facilitated a visit for the cats, and the profound emotional reaction from the patient, his pets, and hospital staff inspired him to pursue a broader policy change.
One patient, Ewa Lutka-Krawczyk, who is undergoing treatment for gallbladder cancer, expressed relief at the prospect of her dog, Gaja, visiting her. Gaja had reportedly stopped eating due to Lutka-Krawczyk's hospitalization.
Katarzyna Piekarska, a lawmaker who introduced the legislation, which is currently with the parliament's health committee, commented that animals are already present in hospitals. She emphasized the need for this practice to be formally regulated by law.
The Palliative Medicine Clinic already allows pet visits under certain conditions. Therapy dogs also make regular rounds at the clinic. During a recent visit by The Associated Press, an Australian shepherd named Kluska, accompanied by her owner Małgorzata Brzozowska, provided a distraction and comfort to patients, including Lutka-Krawczyk and Wojciech Zelik, who was admitted with a tumor. Brzozowska, a medical student, noted that therapy dog visits not only benefit patients but also help reduce stress for hospital staff.
Brzozowska further explained that visits from a patient's own pet can be even more beneficial, calming the patient, their loved ones, and the animal itself. She suggested that the animals often sense the owner's absence and condition, experiencing stress as well.