Dog walker?

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Specializes in neurotrauma ICU.

We currently have a patient who has a companion dog r/t his seizure disorder. He has been asking the aids to take his dog for walks/toileting breaks a couple of times per shift, feed the dog, water it, etc. We are very understaffed aid-wise due to new grads leaving for RN jobs, a death, etc. One aid was off the floor forever yesterday waiting for the dog to do his busines (and I trust her so I don't think she was just taking a long break!). Has anyone else dealt with this situation? How did you handle it?

for the record...I think companion dogs are great, I just don't know that it should be our responsibility to provide care to the dog as well as the patient (who is very ambulatory, btw) I dunno. It's just a very awkward situation, as this patient is very demanding anyway and there seems to be some question as to whether this is an "approved" companion dog in the first place. Even the doctors are having trouble finding adequete documentation of his seizure disorder. aaarrrrggghhhh!

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

working dogs are wonderful, but i don't think it's the nursing staff's responsibility to care for them. if it's not a documented service animal, it shouldn't be in the hospital in the first place. if it is in the hosptial, it's the patient's and his family's responsibility to care for the dog.

just my two cents.

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I walked my patient's service dog on a home health case one time. We didn't go very far and didn't take very long. The little dog didn't look like your typical service dog and was so old that he could go at any time. I know the client will be devastated when that sad event happens. Seems like more of a chore in a hospital situation. I sure would put this responsibility on the family. If they can come to visit, then they can walk the doggie.

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Specializes in ER.

If the patient is ambulatory it would be therapeutic for him to take the dog for the necessary walks. Nursing is only for those that are unable to meet theirs, and their pets, daily needs.

Perhaps if he doesn't grumble too much someone would be kind enough to take the dog out if needed during the night.

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Specializes in private duty/home health, med/surg.

We had a patient on our floor who had a seizure alert service dog. There was no shortage of staff members who wanted to volunteer to take the dog out. I don't recall anyone taking too long of a walk with the dog.

It was an unusual situation but very neat to see how the dog was able to alert the patient and the staff to an impending seizure. He really helped us keep the patient safe. :)

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I agree, it would be therapeutic for the patient to take the dog for a walk depending on how far and the circumstances. At the very least since the patient is ambulatory, they should go with staff...also when the family is there that should be their responsibility.

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I would have patient start to take dog out during the day and have family members pitch in when it's really busy too. Perhaps someone could take the dog for a quick walk around 11pm or midnight before the pup settles in for the night. I'd do it if I could. lol

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Specializes in cardiothoracic surgery.

It is not nursing's responsibility. I agree with the previous post, it is either the patient's or family's responsibility.

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Specializes in LTC, geriatric, psych, rehab.

I am the DON at a nursing home, and we will take a resident and their pet if the pet meets the criteria. However, if the resident is unable to care for the pet, the family will have to do so. For example, one lady brought her cat who'd been her main companion for many years. She was losing her mind, and really unable to care for the kitty. So her son came every day to clean the litter box and put out fresh food and water. He was also responsible for taking kitty to the vet as needed. He was glad to do it b/c mom had not been safe alone at home, but had been unwilling to leave without her pet. My aides and nurses would provide care in a emergency, such as if the pet had gotten sick and threw up. And they shower the pets with lots of love. But the basic care is the responsibility of the resident or the family.

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I believe the ADA says you cannot deny the dog access, but it is not legally the staff's responsibility to take care of it. I have a copy of the regulation at work, so I can't say for sure.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Has anyone tried to tell the pt that it can't be staff's job to take care of the pet?

(I can't imagine it would be at all)

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Specializes in neurotrauma ICU.
Has anyone tried to tell the pt that it can't be staff's job to take care of the pet?

(I can't imagine it would be at all)

oh my goodness, no! then he might give us a bad score on the survey! lol

the damn dog BARKED at me each time I went in the room last night!? Aren't real service dogs trained not to bark? maybe it thought I was having a seizure....

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