King Charles Spaniel Rescue Dallas

Bentley, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas nurse Nina Pham’s year-old King Charles Spaniel, has been living at the Hensley Field Services Center on W. Jefferson Boulevard since last Tuesday, where he’s being tended to by Dallas Animal Services and Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The latter, says city of Dallas spokesperson, is “providing the direct on-site care in support of the city and state efforts to ensure Bentley has the best possible care.”

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And beginning today, they’ll also begin collecting Bentley’s stool and urine to determine whether Pham’s dog, like his owner, has contracted Ebola.

Beginning today, Dallas Animal Services will begin “transitioning” Bentley every now and then into what city officials describe as “a special kennel” where they can collect and study the dog’s waste. Syed says this won’t happen often — just three times during the remainder of his 21-day quarantine period following what the city calls “one of the most publicized animal rescues in the world” following Pham’s Ebola diagnosis on October 11.

“He will only be placed in the special kennel during the specimen collection — and returned to his normal kenneling and routine immediately after the collection is completed, ” says a release from the city. “This is the least invasive and safest way to conduct the testing process for Bentley. Bentley will be monitored for a full 21-day period, similar to people exposed to the Ebola virus.”

DAS and A&M aren’t the only ones involved in the dog’s care: The Texas Department of State Health Services, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Centers for Disease Control are also keeping a close eye on the dog, whose owner is now a resident of the National Institutes of Health in Maryland. Syed says officials are keeping Pham up to date on the dog’s care and condition.

“Our goal has been to provide the highest level of safety and care to both Bentley and our community, ” says Dallas Animal Services Manager Jody Jones in a prepared statement.