A woman with a mental disability was denied her assistance dog during inpatient care at a psychiatric ward in Eksjö. She has filed a complaint with the Discrimination Ombudsman.
The woman states that she became more stressed and experienced higher anxiety levels when not allowed to have the dog with her. Despite a high suicide risk, she chose to go home to be with the dog, which led to her returning to the psychiatric emergency room the same evening.
The hospital has stated, according to the complaint, that care dogs are not permitted during inpatient care but are welcome during visits and conversations. The complainant argues that guide and assistance dogs are exempt from the animal ban.
The region is to respond to the Discrimination Ombudsman by August 4.
