Dogs in the building

motherof3sons · Nov 3, 2013

We have 3 facility cats and our facility has staff that often brings their dogs with them. A well behaved dog is always a benefit for any facility. Only thing I have a problem with is when animals get in the way of resident care which I have seen and have a hard time holding my tongue(lol).

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2013

Our administrator keeps her puppy in her office and leaves the door open but has a dog gate in place.

ktwlpn, LPN · Nov 3, 2013

We have had to set limits due to several staff members bringing young untrained puppies in to the facility (sorry) If they were left in an office they barked and disrupted the residents, some of them urinated and defecated all over the place, a few jumped up on residents and caused skin tears and we have ongoing issues with tripping/falling residents when visitors bring in dogs on those extendable leashes. I'm a big believer in pet therapy but the animal has to be suitable to the job-they need the right personality and obedience training first,IMHO.Good Luck-I hope it works out.

MarggoRita · Nov 4, 2013

Our facility has two dogs that belong to the facility. A couple of our residents take responsibility for feeding and watering them, and alerting staff when to let them out. Pets are a big draw, gives the resident a sense of purpose to tend to them, and many have always had pets do it makes for a more homelike feel.

sharpeimom · Nov 4, 2013

We have owned two trained therapy dogs and the training is very specific and many many dogs who train end up not making the final cut. Not every sweet, cute, lovable, affectionate dog is suitable to be a therapy dog. Our younger dog is adorable and sweet but at not quite two, is entirely too hyper and skittish to be a therapy dog. He visits a neighbor's 96 year old mother at a local nursing home, and she enjoys his visits and recognizes him, but it works because he knows her and visited her when she could still live at home.

On the other hand, our two certified therapy dogs visited several different facilities. In fact, our dog Grover gained weight because we discovered too late that one table of sweet little ol' ladies had been sneaking him large parts of their meals! The administrator had asked me to bring him at mealtime because he was a good distraction for the "picky eater" table. The cook realized what they were doing and began to include an extra plate just for the dog. During mealtimes, I'd wander around the dining room and gab, so he got away with his "people meal" until his annual vet checkup. He had gone from 55# to 60#!

amoLucia · Nov 5, 2013

Hate to be the negative one but what happens when there are folk allergic to dogs/cats?

And myself, who is phobic - I mean fight-or-flight phobic. Nasal flaring, pupils dilating, tachycardic, tachypneic, diaphoretic PHOBIC!

I was attacked as a kid by my Grandmom's dog and I've been petrified of dogs ever since. And I am talking true phobia for all you disbelievers out there. I'm OK with cats and other critters, but not dogs.

These issues are very real. I think if there were an emergency with a pt and a dog in the room, I would not be able to assist.

I support pet therapy but when done by a responsible handler who is controlling the pets. And who respects folk who have aversion to the pet, like myself.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 5, 2013

My dog hardly sheds. I would never bring him into the dining room...Massachusetts DPH would be all over that. I asked every one we walked by if they were okay with dogs. I ended up not bringing him today....maybe once a week will be good for a while until he's a bit bigger.

ktwlpn, LPN · Nov 5, 2013

My dog hardly sheds. I would never bring him into the dining room...Massachusetts DPH would be all over that. I asked every one we walked by if they were okay with dogs. I ended up not bringing him today....maybe once a week will be good for a while until he's a bit bigger.

Food for through- I doubt that anyone would tell the DON they had a problem with her dog. Our administrator had to step in and speak to our ADON and one of the unit managers about their 4 legged evil doers because no one else would.

RainMom · Nov 6, 2013

The LTC I did clinicals at had bunnies in the courtyard, a bird, & a huge aquarium. There was also a large dog there one day but I don't recall if it was actually a therapy dog or just a visitor's pet. The residents really seemed to enjoy them.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 7, 2013

Food for through- I doubt that anyone would tell the DON they had a problem with her dog. Our administrator had to step in and speak to our ADON and one of the unit managers about their 4 legged evil doers because no one else would.

Hahaha ! My staff is not shy when it comes to voicing their opinions about anything. I was more worried that some of the residents would be upset but since it took me 30 minutes to walk from the front door to my office--a trip that usually takes 4 minutes--I'm thinking the attention the puppy got from the residents was worth the bother.