Nurse with a therapy dog?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · May 21, 2012

Therapy dogs are NEVER dropped off and never do they work for 12 hour shifts (dogs need breaks too) The owner must stay with the animal as its handler at all times. Therapy dogs undergo rigorous screening and temperament testing. A therapy dog that is more of a lap dog usually works better in a LTC setting, such as a cocker spaniel I think you might want to look more into some of the training organizations to develop some realistic expectations . An admirable idea though.

I've worked with therapy dogs in a few different settings. The visits are always with a handler and never more than a couple of hours. They are animals and need breaks as well as supervision.

Here is one group: http://www.tdi-dog.org/Default.aspx

And another: http://www.therapydogs.com and their guidelines: http://www.therapydogs.com/PDF/2012/2012_Member_guidelines.pdf

Both groups require the handler to remain with the dog.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · May 21, 2012

When you have a therapy dog, not only is the dog trained, but the handler is trained as well. You could never just drop off a therapy dog without a handler there to supervise the dog at all times. Think about it: the dog needs to eat, needs water, needs walks, and needs to use the bathroom. This is just a puppy. Who will be responsible if your dog chews up the carpet? Or accidentally wanders out the front door? Who will clean up if your dog has an accident on the floor?

I'd disagree (as an owner of two lab mixes) that staying at a LTC all day gives your dog a chance to be active. "Roaming the halls" is not exercise for a lab. They need long walks and they need space to run. My dogs, who are both nearly two years old, would go crazy with pent-up energy if they were contained inside all day. Puppies, especially, have a lot of energy and require a lot of training. Again, as a dog owner, I would never feel comfortable leaving my dog without a designated handler in a building where people are constantly going in and out, and he could easily get hurt (wheelchairs and canes), cause an injury by walking around (elderly person tripping over him or being startled), or get lost by wandering out the door when no one is looking.

In order to be take the certification test for therapy dogs, the dog has to be at least one year old. They have to pass a temperament test, and they need to trained in basic obedience. So it would be many months, and several trainings/certifications/tests before you could even volunteer with your dog.

You haven't been able to find any information about semi-permanent therapy dogs because they don't exist. Also, it might seem like a win-win to you, but I don't think it will seem that way to your dog. Stuck inside for hours with mostly strangers who either ignore him or want to pet/poke/prod him all day? Not able to stretch his legs or run around for over 12 hours? Not at all an ideal situation for him. I know you don't want to, but be willing to spend the money to take good care of your dog and pay for a dog-walker or doggy day care.

Sun0408, ASN, RN · May 21, 2012

Bad idea, it sounds as though you are using the term "therapy" dog as a way to keep you pup looked after while you work.

Laboratorian · May 21, 2012

This thread brought to you by, Animal Assisted Therapy Certificate Program - School of Nursing - Oakland University

What happened to the normal days when people just left the dog outside in the yard?

NicuGal, MSN, RN · May 21, 2012

We have 2 nursing homes by us that have retired greyhounds who live there, but therapy dogs are different. You have to go thru training and the dog has to be with the owner. You need to investigate this. Sounds like you just need a doggy daycare :)

sauconyrunner · May 21, 2012

Lots of reasons why this will not work. The biggest one is that you really can't leave a dog unsupervised in a SNF or anywhere else for 12 hours.

Lynx25, LPN · May 22, 2012

I won't even bring my therapy dog to work WITH me- I feel that both he and my patients need my undivided attention.

I bring him on my off days. :)

I agree with whoever said that a smaller dog would work better in an LTC setting, as it's difficult for bed bound people to sit up and pet the dog if the bed doesn't go quite low enough.

Dogs are also not allowed on the floor during meal times, and must be pottied and watched etc throughout the day. You'd just be giving the nurses ANOTHER thing to do, and TRUST ME, a LTC nurse does not need anything else on her plate.

sauconyrunner · May 22, 2012

Just thinking on this a bit more. Have you met any therapy dogs?

We have three that come to my hospital. They are all really quiet dogs. I have no idea what their real personality is because all they do is stand there and let you pet them. They are not especially interactive. I always get a little disappointed with I pet them as they don't seem to particularly care if I pet them or not. BUT, thats what makes a great therapy dog. The dog is not at all intrusive, will accept loads of affection, but not get wound up. A therapy dog is a "tool", for therapy, not just a friendly visitor.

LadyinScrubs, ASN, RN · May 22, 2012

What you are talking about is a companion dog. When I worked for Silverado Assisted Living (a national facility) in their AD/dementia program. Silverado was not a SNF but was an assisted living facilty with RN care 24/7 and LVNs providing care as well as meds. Pts were allowed to bring their dogs with them, and the facility also adopted strays. The dogs were free to roam and since the facility was complegely fenced, roam throughout the grounds. The dogs loved the facilty, the cognitive stimulation being around people provided. The residents loved having the animals around. You might approach a facility and suggest such an arrangement. Because you would pick the dog up at nite, the facility would not have to worry vet care, feeding or having the dog about at night. There are collars that have a tracking system on them and you or the facility would know exactly where the dog is located.

Labs are absolutely wonderful. My white lab has the biggest heart and an endless supply of love. However, during the first three years of the dog's life, labs are notorious for their chewing. Mine went through two wood kitchen chairs (fortunately they were old, but just the same.) I would confine her to my large kitchen while I worked. I did try to protect the chairs, but she always found a way. Finally, she got over her chewing phase. However, she loves to swim, run, and catch balls. If you have a lab, this type of arrangement might be ideal because it would keep the dog occupied--an unoccupied young lab could cause some serious damage. My young lab was a Marley look-alike and want-to-be; now she has settled down--thank goodness.

You might want to do a google search on the definition of a therapy dog because your definition does not fit. However, a companion dog, would work.

amoLucia · May 23, 2012

poster #7 Lynx last sentence is ever so true. Also some pts, visitors and staff have allergies and/or phobias. How will they be protected (and we are talking really protected)??? I've seen acute allergic response reax and 'fight or flight' episodes, too. As a staff member I fit into one of those categories - not everybody loves dogs!

And sometimes even the cutest, most lovable little dog doesn't love everyone it meets. All animals can be unpredictable! I know because one of my sweet Alzheimer LOLs was bit by a pet 'therapy' dog owned by one of our Rec/Act staff who 'just didn't understand why her pooch bit'! And to top it all off, the dog was not properly vaccinated! Our 3-11 nurse didn't handle the incident correctly, so of course, the family, MD, police and facility mgt were UNHAPPY CAMPERS when I had to follow up. I wonder if any insurance was carried by the Rec/Act staff?

Like the other posters point out, your pet issue poses problems. Good luck.

Geslina, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2013

I think your heart is in the right place, but you need to listen to some of the advice here. I also agree that small "lap" type dogs are better in nursing homes. I have a docole and sweet chihuahua that I bring in frequently to visit...and the residents just LOVE being able to hold and cuddle him. For some of them, it's a warmer experience than just petting a larger dog. I have worked in a few places that have full time pets, one that had a german shepherd that lived at the facility, though he was not a "therapy" dog, just a very calm, sweet, well behaved boy who made a nice addition to the group. The other place I know of has 2 cats - again, they just lounge around and act like cats, occasionally interacting with the residents that like them. My first thought about your idea is that labs, especially young ones, while they are sweet and loving, are also VERY high energy - and that unsupervised time in a nursing home may not be the best place for them. And, how about the care that the animals need? Someone has to let them out, let them in, walk them, feed them, make sure they behave - this requires a lot of effort, and not a little bit of work on the part of the other employees, some who may not want to do it.

I like the idea of animals in nursing homes, and have seen the benefits of having them around. I think you need to keep thinking about how you, and your dog, can make a positive contribution - just not in exactly the ways you are thinking!