ever bring your dog to work?

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Hey Everyone,

I'm almost half way through nursing school and i have a 6 month old labrador retriever. I've taken her to dog obedience school and now i'm having a private trainer work with us because i want her to be well behaved. Anyone have info on what i need to do so i could bring her to work with me one day to visit my patients? I've seen service dogs come into the hospital before, but I'm not sure on the requirements. I'm going to ask my dog's trainer next week, but i thought maybe someone on here would know? Does she have to be a licensed service dog? Any info appreciated!

Can I bring my kids to work then?

As long as they're leashed. :lol2:

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Thank you guys for your input. I can see Blee's point as far as over stepping in the professional relationship. Maybe I'll look into bringing her but to a different floor. I am planning on going into pediatrics and I've seen a lot of dogs come in so i don't think it's looked at as dirty or unprofessional. My dog is still a puppy so i know she isn't ready yet for this enviroment, but labs are usually really calm once they're older and can provide comfort. I had a pt who had leukemia and he had all his pics up on the walll with all the different service dogs (about 15+ pics). This left a positive impression on me.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Heme/Onc.
Thank you guys for your input. I can see Blee's point as far as over stepping in the professional relationship. Maybe I'll look into bringing her but to a different floor. I am planning on going into pediatrics and I've seen a lot of dogs come in so i don't think it's looked at as dirty or unprofessional. My dog is still a puppy so i know she isn't ready yet for this enviroment, but labs are usually really calm once they're older and can provide comfort. I had a pt who had leukemia and he had all his pics up on the walll with all the different service dogs (about 15+ pics). This left a positive impression on me.

I don't think bringing pets in for animal therapy is unprofessional. A staff nurse bringing her dog (no matter how much of a "good citizen" this animal is) in to visit a patient during his or her off time is unprofessional. There is a distinct difference.

Blee

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Talk to your DON about it. I mentioned to our DON one day that a patient told me she really missed her dog, a german shephard, and I asked if maybe the patient could be allowed to go outside to a sitting area to visit with the dog (she had been in the hospital for 3 weeks, and had a week left for rehab). Our DON called the husband to bring the dog, and the dog came to the room to visit her for about 45 minutes. Her therapist said her therapy was 150% improved after that!

Since then (with our DON's permission), I have taken my shitzu and schaunzer to the hospital a few times to visit long term patients that love animals, and need a "pick me up". But sometimes, I think the nurses enjoy it more than patients. They always ask me when Pearl and Gizzy are coming back around ;)

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Specializes in Cardiac x3 years, PACU x1 year.
Was it a Seeing Eye Cat? :D

melisgood:

If I were in your shoes I'd read my employer's policies on the matter in their various publications (orientation handbook, p&p book, etc.). I would then speak to someone above me in the chain of command to clear it. I wouldn't consider taking in a dog in a big deal, but there's always some clown that doesn't like furry animals that might hold it against you somehow and look for any minor way possible to mess with you.

Not liking furry animals does not make one a 'clown'.

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I agree with Blee O'Mycin.

I worked with a nurse (I worked the floor, she answered phones at the nurses' station) who always brought in her huge dog.

The dog would lay under the nurses station and people would trip on it.

Also, I was attacked by a viscious dog years ago, and another more recently. Because of this, I am nervous around dogs and do not care for them.

I hated working with this nurse because she always had to have her dog there. She was close friends w/ the mgr, so I never got anywhere with my concerns.

Unless your dog is a certified therapy dog, and you are there doing an official job, be it paid or volunteer, please do not bring pets to work.

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Not liking furry animals does not make one a 'clown'.

I agree. Not only am I allergic to most animals... I was bitten by a dog (in the face) when I was a little girl. Now I realize that most theraputic dogs are not going to attack... but I still get a little nervous whenever an animal that I don't know is close by...(especially when my kids are around dogs).

For someone to call a person who doesn't like animals a clown, isn't really fair. There are many reasons people may feel the way they do.

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Unless your dog is a certified therapy dog, and you are there doing an official job, be it paid or volunteer, please do not bring pets to work.

Ditto -- unless you are doing an official job within established guidelines/parameters/policies of your facility, it's best for you, the clients, your co-workers, and the animal itself that you leave the pets at home. Too many risks on too many levels!

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The volunteer who regularly brings in his dog to both the pediatrics and adult floors here recommends Therapy Dogs International. The annual membership is really cheap and then you're insured/bonded. Patients see the dogs on a voluntary basis, it's not as if the animal is forced into their room and most of them love it :)

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Working therapy dogs are usually certified through either the Delta Society (http://www.deltasociety.org/) or Therapy Dogs International (http://www.tdi-dog.org/). Some hospitals also have their own certification programs.

If you're certified with one of these agencies, they provide liability insurance for the therapy visits.

The Delta Society was the agency that I had my dog certified through. As for bringing your dog to your workplace, even on your days off, it might be a bad idea. While you are on shift, you have your scope or responsibilities, and they are to your patients. It might also be a healthier alternative to get out of your routine setting and bring your dog to another establishment on a volunteer basis.

My dog worked with patients in a PT setting. Most of the people she worked with were recovering from strokes or other injuries. Some people respond better to animals than they do to people alone.

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Can I bring my kids to work then?

Only if they're furry and properly leashed. ;) just kidding

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Talk to your DON about it. I mentioned to our DON one day that a patient told me she really missed her dog, a german shephard, and I asked if maybe the patient could be allowed to go outside to a sitting area to visit with the dog (she had been in the hospital for 3 weeks, and had a week left for rehab). Our DON called the husband to bring the dog, and the dog came to the room to visit her for about 45 minutes. Her therapist said her therapy was 150% improved after that!

Since then (with our DON's permission), I have taken my shitzu and schaunzer to the hospital a few times to visit long term patients that love animals, and need a "pick me up". But sometimes, I think the nurses enjoy it more than patients. They always ask me when Pearl and Gizzy are coming back around ;)

That's really sweet of you. I have a dog and would also feel 150% better if I got to visit with her. Animals make me happy and it seems they have the same effect on many patients. I can also understand why your fellow nurses would be thrilled. Pets are uplifting for so many of us. :up:

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