Pets in the office? (LTC)

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, LTC.

Snakes do escape! My sons did at home and OMG!!

Anyways I am big animal lover and working on taking my little dog in a stroller on noc shift.

No way. Think about the impact on others! There are a lot of people who are nervous around snakes or have actual snake phobias. So you'd be making it awfully difficult for anyone who has such an issue to walk into your office (i.e., co-workers, cleaning staff). I can tell you right now, I'd be spooked, and I'm not terribly nervous around snakes.

Plus, given their propensity for escaping, do you really think that's a wise idea in such a facility?

As I read this a mischievious grin spread across the face of my alter-ego.

Bad! Bad! Bad! Smack! Smack! Smack!

I think it will be a no go once it gets to the administrator for approval. I guess I can still have pictures. I do have a tame and friendly bunny. May be a better idea.

Michigan

33 Posts

I'm in the minority here, but I agree with the OP. Think if you kept the snake in a secure area it would be a great idea. I bring my dogs to work ocasionally. You would be surprised, at the number of employees who are scared of a dog. But the residents love them. I am very aware of RS and employees who are scared, or allergic, of the dogs and avoid their "space" (everyone has their own idea of a safe distance). You know your snake and know how much stress it can take- talking of toting it back and forth. As our population changes, so will their idea of "pets." PS- I don't have a snake, don't care to have, probadly never will have a snake, but my sister and her family have multiple snakes, lizards, fish, hamsters, etc and also cats and dogs.

Maybe you could have a set day when you bring the snake in and announce it so the people who want to see it can.

I realize germs are a concern. When I walk my guys around I carry a container of hand wipes. Actually I worry more about what my dogs may pick up than what someone petting them may get. Look close at the handrails, w/c wheels, etc-- yuck.

Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

I would absolutely DIE if someone brought a snake to work. And if it got loose, OMG, call 911 because I will fall over and pass out for sure!!!! :sofahiderYes I am a big baby, but I doubt I'm the only one. I'd vote to leave your pretty snaky fellow at home, and get a nice big goldfish or parakeet or something. Yikes!!!!:twocents:

TDCHIM

686 Posts

Specializes in Health Information Management.
As I read this a mischievious grin spread across the face of my alter-ego.

Bad! Bad! Bad! Smack! Smack! Smack!

I think it will be a no go once it gets to the administrator for approval. I guess I can still have pictures. I do have a tame and friendly bunny. May be a better idea.

True - it would be a VERY effective tool for keeping your office clear of annoying coworkers with snake issues.... ;)

However, the bunny might go over better. I do agree with the posters who brought up allergy issues; rabbits are the one and only animal I'm majorly allergic to, oddly enough.

delilas

289 Posts

The facility I'm at for clinicals allows cats to live there and allows dogs to visit.

However, there is a difference between a dog (which a small group are afraid of) and a snake (which you can safely say a majority of the population are at the very least, largely uncomfortable around).

If people are shrieking at the mere mention of you bringing it in, even if your admin approved it I wouldn't do it.

LouisVRN, RN

672 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am really on the fence about this. My sister is a herpetologist, I am very comfortable around reptiles including venomous ones and ball pythons are not big enough to cause physical harm other than around infants. That being said I don't believe pets should be in the workplace. As much as I would love a cat, or snake or chinchilla to keep me company it would also be a distraction. I do NOT think your co-worker should be allowed to bring a dog into the facility either though. I am scared of dogs :sofahider. Give me a rattlesnake I'm as calm as can be, if I see a dog even a small one I want to run and hide. The fact that animals can be beneficial at reducing stress and pain is wonderful, in the right scenario but I do not feel that bringing them to keep you company at work is it. I think fish would be the only pet I could see being appropriate. I also have a major issue with the pet therapy dogs that visit our post-op floor - hello germs.

Ruas61, BSN, RN

1,368 Posts

Specializes in MDS/ UR.

Get yourself a Betta fish.

Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

There is an aviary at my MILs nursing home. They have it full of finches and they are so much fun to watch. Last spring they even hatched some babies and the residents were just fascinated! Occasionally someone brings their (very tame) cat in and the residents are very interested in that. My MIL is completely obsessed with cats and kittens, so the cats really provide a diversion for her.

We used to have a family of gerbils at our house. Well, actually a few families before I figured out which were boys and which were girls. :uhoh3: But they were the most fun, very tame, quiet, and non-stinky(they're desert animals so they don't pee and poop much.) The parents are so devoted--both the father and mother take care of the babies until they are big enough to have fur and eat seeds, several weeks of non-stop care. They are just very interesting animals, so busy all the time.

casi, ASN, RN

2,063 Posts

Specializes in LTC.

I agree that some people are really uncomfortable around snakes. We actually keep our ball python in our spare room where we can shut the door to keep visitors happy.

Maybe get a pair of gerbils for your desk? They are absolutely adorable and tend to frequently produce tasty litters of snake food. (yes, we raise gerbils for this purpose)

Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.
I agree that some people are really uncomfortable around snakes. We actually keep our ball python in our spare room where we can shut the door to keep visitors happy.

Maybe get a pair of gerbils for your desk? They are absolutely adorable and tend to frequently produce tasty litters of snake food. (yes, we raise gerbils for this purpose)

:barf02:I suppose you could use them for that. If you would rather just raise them be sure you get two females or two males. They must come from the same litter, as they will fight to the death if they're not. A male and female from separate litters will not generally fight, but they will make babies every 28 days. And if you ever get the chance to see one deliver you will be amazed. Our old mother gerbil used to stand up on her hind legs and shoot them out like a cannon! I:lol2: It was pretty funny to watch.

I brought some pictures of my snake (Nanook) to work and showed them around. One nurse said it wouldn't bother her a bit, another nurse said she would like make a new opening in the building in the shape of a person, I got several "hmm...s", and one CNA ran to the DON and said "I need to talk to you in your office NOW!!!" Upon pressing my ear to the door I was able to make out "and she has these pictures she's showing around...!!!!!"

I have also since learned I will likely be having my office moved to the basement. Maybe it will work out after all. I would love to set up my terrarium and since I spend most of the days of the week at work, the snake could live with me, in the basement...

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