Pets at work

[CapeCodMermaid]

I work in a small facility which already has a cat who lives there. She mostly stays in the lobby and doesn't mingle much with the residents. I am planning on getting a puppy and am going to be bringing him/her to work with me. Does anyone have any clue about regulations regarding animals in a SNF? Of course the puppy will be checked by a vet and have all his/her shots before I bring him/her in.

[I love my cat!]

When I worked in LTC, the facility had a dog and a cat. All of the residents adored them. The animals were often the only time I would see many residents smile and laugh.

It was a couple of staff members that ruined it. Surprise, surprise.

All possible future employees were introduced to the animals. What I never understood was that if you hate animals that much or have such severe allergies, why on earth would you want to work there? There are dozends of other LTC facilities within the area.

But they did decide to work there and then they just doged and moaned and complained until the animals were finally removed from the facility.

Like someone else posted, the residents were there first. It was their home. When the residents were told that the animals were being removed, many became very angry, others became very depressed. A lot of the residents had been around the cat and dog for years.

The entire situation was very sad.

[Furwillfly]

We have a 10 year old 'facility cat', that was adopted when the resident passed away. We have one other cat that is a residents and we share taking care of it's responsibilities. And we have two dogs that are residents'. We are animal lovers at our place, and I'm highly allergic to cats (have 5 myself :)) I love them more than I mind allergy pills.

Anyhow, to your question ...they only rules we have besides up to date shot records on file for state is the animals aren't allowed in eating areas when the residents are eating. That's pretty much it here in WA state.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

If you read the studies, you'll see that people who have pets are generally healthier and happier than those who don't. And....put a blood pressure monitor on someone who is patting a dog....their blood pressure goes down. I've seen residents who apparently are 'lost in their own world' respond to animals and babies.

[APBT mom, LPN, RN]

There's facilities around here that have pets mostly cats but a few have dogs. Other facilities have pets come once or twice a month for the residents to play with, pet, walk, etc. The ones who visit however have ruls they have to follow. They need to be updated on shots, no illness, and they are required to be bathed before coming in the facility to not bring any fleas/ticks in to the residents.

My advice is if you bring a puppy to work try to schedule someone to come and pick him up after a few hours. They require a lot more supervision and care than an adult dog.

Also look into CGC (canine good citizen) and therapy certifications for him once he's older (CGC involves the dog being trained to do certain things). This way it's easier to bring him to facilities since he's certified and not just a pet. Most areas have testing facilities for these and the fees aren't expensive (CGC in my area is $25).

[TomLM]

My mother spent her final couple of years in LTC. Mom was not a pet person, but we often had pets, from snapping turtles to fallen baby birds and of course dogs. I think her only limits were snakes and rodents. Those were a definite NO! The activities director at her facility often brought in her dog, and he was very popular. Even my mother succumbed to his charms.

The floor manager or whatever she was called, brought in her parakeets (caged naturally). I remember one resident would sit sit and watch and listen to them for hours on end. I think pets are a great addition. Not every one will connect, but those who do benefit.

Tom

[lexibear99, LPN]

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

:bow::bow::yeah:

[GreenvilleRN]

There may be state to state differences but here it is by facility policy and common sense.

Our organization is hospital based but still allows pets in but requires vet documentation of current shots and certifying health. I raise West Highland White Terriers, the adults all take turns coming to work with me and wandering the halls visiting. Our medical director brings in his Cairn Terriers as well from time to time. Residents and patients alike enjoy the visits! We often arrange pet based "activities" such as our recent Halloween parade. We even had goats brought in on leashes dressed all up.

The key is to assure all animals are well behaved, under control and healthy and that someone is ultimately responsible to assure the animals are provided the attention they need but when all bases are covered it makes life a whole lot more enjoyable for the residents, and the staff seem to like it too.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I worked in a building once where they had the 'visiting pets' come in. My goodness those pets were smelly things! Goats, cats, dogs, a chicken (!) and a few bunnies. Bunnies have more nasty diseases...so if THEY can visit, I'm sure I'll have no problem with my unbelievably adorable new puppy. Maybe I can get the residents to help me pick out a name!

[Furwillfly]

And some of the more cognitive residents enjoy responsibilities, like " you would be a big help to me if you would brush my dogs fur...or watch him/her for a few minutes in your room for me." it makes them feel important. Of course you need to know the resident and be able to trust they won't hurt the animal.

that's a GREAT idea to help you name new puppy :)

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

We once had a really cheap little bird (like a $2 bird - whatever kind that would be?). Anyways, over time, this stupid little thing figured out how to talk. Repeated things such as "Nascarnurse you have a call on line 1", etc. Over and over. Absolutely gut busting funny, the things it would repeat! "Come on Mildred, one more bit of spinach". That $2 bird was more fun for staff and residents than any other recreational material we could have bought.

We tried a cat, it just peed on incontinent residents bed. We tried a dog, it ran out the door and off property anytime someone opened the door.

[mustlovepoodles, RN]

I have a quick question about bringing therapy dogs to a facility. I notice that the dogs ya'll have mentioned have all been small dogs( westies, french bulldog, cairn terrier.) I have an 80-lb Standard Poodle that I would love to bring to a facility.He's an old gentleman, almost 9yo, black with grey beard and eyebrows. He's gentle and well-mannered--he would never jump on anyone or climb into their bed. He is totally content to sit next to someone and have his head rubbed.He's very fluffy and friendly.

My husband says that because he's a big black dog that he wouldn't be a good therapy dog, that people would be afraid of him. Do you think that's true? It's not like he's a pitbull or anything.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

One of our family members brings in her dog....has to weigh at least 100 pounds...huge and hairy. It is one of the sweetest, most gentle dogs you'd ever want to meet. If you want to bring your standard poodle in, who cares what color he is?