You’re panicking. You’re between contracts — or maybe even preparing for your first.
Until now, you hadn’t considered what would happen to your fur baby. Now, the reality is setting in.
Can you be a travel nurse with a dog?
Don’t worry! Many travel nurses have pets and bring them on assignments.
This guide helps you fully understand how to handle being on the road with your canine bestie. So take a deep breath; you and your little one (or big one) will be just fine.
Table of Contents
- Can You Do Travel Nursing With a Dog?
- Should You Do Travel Nursing With a Dog?
- Before Travel Nursing With a Dog — Be Prepared for These 6 Things
- How To Travel Nurse With a Dog: Securing Pet-Friendly Housing
- Trusted Nurse Staffing: Use Pronto To Find a Travel Nurse Contract for You and Your Loyal Sidekick
Can You Do Travel Nursing With a Dog?
Yes, you can! Many travel nurses choose to bring their dogs with them on assignments.
After all, we work hard so our dogs can have a better life. What better life than exploring the country with your best friend?
But there are some things you need to consider.
First, you need to decide if you should bring your dog along.
Should You Do Travel Nursing With a Dog?
It’s not always the right choice for your dog depending on:
- Where you’re going
- How long you’ll be gone
- Your pet’s health and history
It’s important to understand when it might be best to leave your dog with a trusted family member or friend. Or if a certain location is an issue, you’ll need to decide if you’ll accept a contract there or not.
There are also some pros and cons to consider:
- Possible Pros:
-
- Extra costs:
- Can help fight loneliness
- Can help you get outside more
- Can help you meet new friends
- Can help with anxiety
- Possible Cons:
-
- Extra costs:
- Documentation
- Additional vet visits
- Additional housing fees
- Pet boarding or dog walker
- Transportation considerations, such as flying
- Extra costs:
Are you looking for a travel nurse agency you can trust — that will have not only your but your dog’s best interest in mind?
Trusted Nurse Staffing provides nurses with a broad range of opportunities, such as …
- Local assignments
- Travel assignments
- Permanent placement
- Temp to perm; and
- Per diem
… so we’re sure to help you find the best fit. Get started finding your dream travel job for you and your pup by searching on Pronto.
Before Travel Nursing With a Dog — Be Prepared for These 6 Things
#1: Transportation
Most travel nurses travel by car. However, most dogs aren’t used to 10 (or more) hours of driving in a car.
Here are five tips to use when road-tripping with your dog:
- Use a carrier or crate for safety (and in the backseat).
- Plan stops for bathroom breaks and short walks.
- Have a list of pet-friendly hotels along the route in case you need to overnight.
- Pack cleaning supplies (just in case).
- Have products on hand that can help with dog anxiety, such as a thunder shirt or any medications from the vet.
If you plan to fly with your dog, there are additional things to consider, such as:
- You will need pre-verification from the vet before flying.
- Prepare to spend additional money.
- Review airline policies and TSA restrictions before your flight.
- Think about when to feed and water your dog to avoid accidents.
#2: Necessary Documentation
No matter how you travel with your dog, you’ll need pet documents.
Some documents you may need are:
- Rabies certification
- Vaccine records
- Current health certificate
- Pet license
- Certificate of veterinary inspection before flying
- Pet insurance
- Spay/neuter certificate
#3: Microchipping
You want to ensure your dog has been microchipped in case it runs off.
This helps ensure shelters can find you using your dog’s identification number. Since it’s embedded into the skin, a microchip can help you reunite even if the collar is lost.
The microchip must be registered to give you the best chance of getting your dog back. Make sure your contact information is updated in the database. If that information is missing or incorrect, your chances of getting your pet back are reduced.
#4: Updated Identification Tags
Prepping for travel nursing with a dog should include ensuring your dog has a good, well-fitting collar with up-to-date tags.
These ID tags should have current information on them such as:
- Your dog’s name
- Your phone number(s)
- An emergency contact number; and
- City, neighborhood, or even address
#5: Finding a Local Vet
Before you even arrive, you can begin searching for a local vet — and it’s also a good idea to know the closest emergency vet.
If you aren’t sure which vet to choose or where to go, ask your fellow nurses for veterinarian recommendations. All pet parents love talking about their fur babies.
Another great resource for finding a local vet is Veterinarians.com.
#6: Budgeting for Pet Sitting or Boarding
As a travel nurse, you’re probably working long shifts on consecutive days.
Unless you’ve also traveled with your family, it’s a good idea to look into doggy daycare or boarding. You can also consider having a pet sitter check in on your dog throughout the day.
Knowing your dog is well taken care of allows you to work stress-free knowing your pet is having a good time while you are at work.
A few resources that can help you find pet-sitting options are:
- Your new veterinarian
- Your new groomer
- Your co-workers
- Care.com
- Rover.com
- Wagwalking.com
These are extra expenses to keep in mind if you’re considering travel nursing with a dog.
How To Travel Nurse With a Dog: Securing Pet-Friendly Housing
Travel nurses have a variety of housing options, including pet-friendly ones.
You have a choice of choosing your own housing with a stipend or accepting company-provided housing.
No matter which housing you choose, there are some things to consider:
- Many property owners limit you to two pets.
- “Aggressive breeds” are typically prohibited.
- Travel nursing with a large dog can be more difficult as many property owners have a weight limit they accept.
Despite these, many travel nurses successfully travel with large and “aggressive breed” dogs.
Private Housing
Many nurses choose to use the company stipend to find their own housing. This can be a flexible choice that has the potential for financial advantages.
But when you are travel nursing with a dog, you’ll have to limit your search to pet-friendly options — and likely have a pet deposit.
In addition to a pet deposit, securing your own housing usually means also paying:
- The first month’s rent
- Security deposit; and
- Utility deposits
Your housing needs as a travel nurse is considered “short-term,” so your landlord needs to be not only willing to accept pets, but will also need to accept short-term leases.
Finding short-term, pet-friendly housing yourself is doable. It just might take a little more time, patience, and money up-front.
If apartments aren’t working out, you can consider apps such as:
- Craigslist
- Airbnb; and
- VRBO
Just be vigilant about scams, especially on Craigslist.
Company Housing
When travel nursing with a dog, you might find it easier to allow your nursing agency to provide your housing.
Many travel nurse agencies have long-standing relationships with apartment complexes and other housing options — and that can make the process of finding the right housing more efficient.
Most travel nurse agencies do allow their nurses to travel with a pet, but some may not. Some may require deposits, and others may not. You’ll need to check with your agency on their pet policies.
Trusted Nurse Staffing: Use Pronto To Find a Travel Nurse Contract for You and Your Loyal Sidekick
Travel nursing is packed full of benefits. Travel nursing with your loyal companion just adds icing to the cake!
If you’re considering travel nursing with a dog, we’d love to talk with you! Our recruiters at Trusted Nurse Staffing are here to help guide you through the process, answer any questions, and help you make the right decisions for you and your dog.
We offer:
- Competitive pay
- Stipends for housing, meals, etc.
- Flexible working hours
- 24/7 availability
- Insurance benefits
- Bonuses
- And much more
Are you ready to begin the adventure of a lifetime with your dog by your side? You can begin now by searching Pronto.