Guest Post by: Valeria Litovchenko

A dog can be a great companion for a travel nurse. Travel nurses often have to be away from home for extended periods and can feel isolated or lonely. A pup can provide comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. Furthermore, dogs are also excellent stress-relievers and can help reduce anxiety and depression.

Travel nursing with a dog is possible, although it can be more challenging than traveling without one.

First, you need to make sure that the housing you plan to stay in is pet-friendly. Most travel nursing agencies will provide pet-friendly housing, but you should still double-check before making any commitments. Additionally, it’s important to have a reliable plan for taking care of your dog while you’re on assignment. Ask the agency if there are any local pet sitters or dog walkers they can recommend.

Second, you need to check with your travel-nursing agency to make sure there are no restrictions on bringing a dog. In some cases, you may be able to bring your pet with you on assignment, but it’s important to check with your company first.

Finally, you need to be ready for the cost of traveling with a dog. In addition to the cost of pet-friendly housing, you may need to pay for pet insurance, pet supplies, and vet bills.

There are a few things to consider when planning your trip with a furry friend:

Do your research: Before you embark on your travel-nursing journey with a dog, it’s better to research the rules and regulations for pet-friendly housing, pet-friendly employers, and pet-friendly destinations.
Pack the essentials: Make sure to pack all the necessary items your pup will need, such as food, water, toys, bedding, crate, leash, etc.
Have the right documents: Secure all the necessary documents for your pet, such as vaccination and health records, ID tags, and a copy of their rabies certificate.
Exercise your pup: Exercise is important for your dog’s mental and physical health while traveling. Make sure to take your pup out for regular walks and playtime.
Be prepared for emergencies: Ensure that your pet is covered in case of an emergency. Have your vet’s contact information on hand and check if your pup is up-to-date on vaccinations and flea/tick medication. It’s recommended to have the best pet emergency fund for your dog, and such a service helps to be ready for everything.
Stick to a routine: When possible, try to stick to your dog’s routine to help keep them comfortable and reduce stress.
Socialize your pup: Introduce your dogs to new people and places to help them adjust to their new environment and build their confidence.
Find pet-friendly activities: Take advantage of pet-friendly activities such as dog parks, pet-friendly beaches, and restaurants.

Best dogs for travel nurse

When selecting a dog to travel with, it is important to consider its size, temperament, and energy level. The best dog breeds for travel nurses are:

Greyhounds – great breed for travel nurses because they have a gentle, quiet demeanor, and they don’t require much exercise.
Labrador Retrievers – intelligent, loyal, and energetic, making them great companions for travel nurses. They also don’t need a lot of exercise, so they’ll be content to sit in the car while their owners explore a new city.
Poodles – intelligent and easy to train, so they’ll be able to adapt to changing environments quickly. They’re also hypoallergenic, so they’ll be great for nurses who have allergies.
Chihuahuas – are small and don’t require a lot of activity, so they’re perfect for travel nurses who don’t have a lot of space or time to devote to a pet.
Maltese – gentle, loving, and affectionate, making them great travel companions. They’re also low-maintenance, so they won’t need a lot of grooming or exercise.

Conclusion

Travel nursing with a dog can be a great way to experience the country, save money, and get some quality time with your furry friend. However, it’s important to make sure you do your homework before committing to a travel nursing assignment with a dog. Be sure to research each assignment thoroughly to ensure the facility is pet-friendly, as well as the housing options available. Finally, double-check that you have all the necessary supplies to make your pet’s experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. With some planning and preparation, you can have a successful travel nursing experience with your pup by your side.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Diamond the Service Dog

Diamond is my Service Dog and I’m convinced she’s stayed in more Airbnb’s & hotels than any dog I’ve ever met and that’s mostly because she’s a working girl. But don’t let the service vest fool you, she gets to vacation too. And, oddly enough, there are plenty of establishments that will allow dogs on your vacation/long term housing both with and without a deposit. Best advice tip is to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Almost all pet policies will be on their website even for Airbnb/VRBO. If for some reason it isn’t, pick up the phone and get in a conversation! As most of us know, in the Travel Nursing world, policies and procedures can and do change constantly.

Having everything you need

Coming from a swat/tactical background, I was taught that having everything you need equipment-wise ready and together is imperative to completing a solid plan. And, that means being prepared for all things, maybe even being over prepared, if necessary. After enough of the wise jokes from friends about “packing for two” and my always growing BRILLIANT ideas, I got Diamond her own luggage. When I say luggage, it’s a tactical over the shoulder bag that you can find on Amazon, yes, links to all contents are below.

Proper Identification

Although her vest has any and all information about both her and me, I still made sure her bag had her name and my phone number on it as well. There are a lot of serious details to her bag that most wouldn’t think about. What if there’s an emergency and I was somewhere else while she was resting in my hotel room? Who would know to evacuate her if a waiver/notification sheet at the front desk was never asked of me to fill out? Your dog’s safety is just as important as the safety they provide, and it is our job to provide them with everything they need to stay safe. Without thumbs, they most certainly need our help. With that in mind, having a seatbelt and harness for your dog is extremely important for their well-being and yours. If they aren’t secured and an accident occurs, what could happen is a chance I’m just not willing to take.

Is your co-pilot anxious for any variety of reasons?

Diamond suffers from some storm anxiety, so although I try to monitor the weather conditions for our drives, sometimes we just can’t control the weather. In Texas, we can experience all seasons in one day. What has worked for Diamond is CBD treats/oils. I purchase ours locally and use the oil dropper on food and hard treats on the road or on those times when she may be without me for a while. These can be purchased legally and even online with shipping!

Quick breaks along your road trip for water, playtime, or potty is an excellent way to not only stretch their little legs but ours as well! Make it fun! When mapping out your trip to your next assignment/destination, see what local dog-friendly stops there are! Lots of restaurants, patios, truck stops, and even some stores are dog friendly, and they LOVE it when you stop in with your pawtner!

Traveling with your dog for a full 13-week assignment will, of course, look much different than our typical week trip for Diamond and me. But hopefully, you’ll have taken a couple of TREATS from our travels for your own!