Pets at work

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 1, 2008

As far as I know they have to pass a test (at least in my area of California) like they have to be potty trained, well behaved, no bitting or chewing, not too hyper...ect. I am not sure what it is for your area. Personally I would not like having a cat around, I am highly allergic, I get stuffed up, sometimes get an asthma attack,get a bad rash around my eyes, and feel pretty much miserably just from being in the same vicinity as cats; I would not work in a facility like this or place my parent in such a facility; visiting pets are one thing, but living in pets are another.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 1, 2008

The cat has been there longer than most of the residents! I'm not a big cat fan, but this one is pretty harmless. Well cared for too.

vashtee, RN · Nov 1, 2008

Personally I would not like having a cat around, I am highly allergic, I get stuffed up, sometimes get an asthma attack,get a bad rash around my eyes, and feel pretty much miserably just from being in the same vicinity as cats; I would not work in a facility like this or place my parent in such a facility; visiting pets are one thing, but living in pets are another.

I have to agree. I am also allergic. To be honest, I don't think I'd even want a furry feline visitor. :uhoh21:

soulofme · Nov 1, 2008

Personally, I'd rather have pets than some co-workers, residents or visitors:paw:

racing-mom4, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2008

i DID a clinical at a LTC that had 2 fat resident cats and staff was allowed to bring thier dogs to work with them, 1st they had to pass a vet check of course. The only rule was the dogs needed to be behind closed doors during meal times.

The residents loved them as well as the visitors.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Nov 1, 2008

my mother, who has alzheimer's seems to be positively obsessed with cats these days. she's always had cats, and my folks currently have three (or is it four?) indoor cats and a whole host of cats living outdoors that migrate back and forth between my folks' farm and the neighbors depending upon the season (neighbors have a warm barn in cold weather) and the food on offer. city people drop there unwanted pets off on the side of the road, so there are always more cats.

i know my dad can't take care of mom forever, but both of my folks have been reluctant to discuss alternatives. however they did mention that there's a nursing home in the area that has a couple of cats who wander around the residents' rooms, jumping into laps and asking to be petted. if mom has to go to a nursing home, that's where dad would like her to go. if we can arrange it.

if the cat was there first, allergic residents have nothing to complain about. i think it's a lovely idea.

as far as taking a brand new puppy to work with you -- i'm not so sure that's a good idea. better to have an older dog work with the residents, one who has some sort of service certification.

Katnip, RN · Nov 1, 2008

Check you facility's policy book. Not all places allow employees to bring their pets.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Nov 1, 2008

Check you facility's policy book. Not all places allow employees to bring their pets.

I'm the Director of Nursing and the Administrator has already said it's fine if I bring a puppy in every day.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 1, 2008

My last LTC's DON brought her French bulldog with her several times a week. He was trained to snooze on a pad in her office and she'd bring him around on-leash to visit. He's was quite the hit!

We allow dogs here, as well. Vet checked.

:)

Fuzzy · Nov 2, 2008

Remember puppies come with sharp teeth, sharp claws, and no house training. What are you going to do with the puppy when you're busy? Hopefully you'll also bring a crate so that you pup has a place to call his own. Vaccinations aren't enough, make sure that your puppy is worm free and is on a good deworming schedule to keep your residents and other staff members safe. Puppies under 12 weeks old are too young for rabies vaccination too. You will have to be careful that none of your residents get hurt by the puppy or that the puppy get hurt by inadvertantly being dropped or stepped on. Taking a puppy to work can be as much work as taking an infant to work. Keep in mind that by taking your own pet to work also sets a presidence for others to want the same priveledge. So make sure that doing this is also fair to the rest of your staff.

We're allowed to bring our pets to work as we are set up for it being I work in a veterinary hospital. We have the foloowing rules:

Only the owner is to care for the animal, care is not to be passed on to other staff members unless the animal is there for a medical procedure;

We must be clock out to look after our own pet;

We must clean up after our pet as well as provide it's own food;

The pet must not be running through out the facility. It must be contained on a leash, in a carrier, in a run, etc.;

The pet must be current on appropriate vaccinations, dewormed, no ectoparasites etc. uless it is under medical care; and

if any of the above rules are broken we will no longer be allowed to bring our pets to work unless it is for a medical procedure.

Now I don't know about taking your young puppy to an SNF as many states have requirements. Most of the rules that I'm familar with involve therapy pets which are brought in by volunteers so you may not be affected by them. But you might want to look further as to your state requirements. Are your resident cats declawed?

Have fun with your new puppy,

Fuzzy, CVT

nightmare, RN · Nov 2, 2008

We had a few cats in the Nursing Home until we got a manager who did not like cats and got rid of them!!The cats were a great hit with the residents and we found that one particular cat would sit on the knees of anyone.He was very useful for keeping residents sat down for a while!!We also had a dog but this was not really a success as the dog did not have a dedicated owner and was quite 'lost' really.He eventually went to live with a member of staff and was much happier.