By Kerrey Brennan
There’s no better way to end a workday than coming home to your little fur baby — and that doesn’t have to change because you’re a travel nurse. Many nurses take their dogs with them on assignment, but there are a few things you can and should do when you’re assigned a healthcare travel job in a new location to make sure your pet can settle in just as happily as you do.
Visit the Vet
Before you leave your home base or current location, it’s always a good idea to make a trip to the vet to ensure your pup has a clear certificate of health. This way, you’ll have all the paperwork necessary to prove your little one has had all of his or her shots and vaccines.
Update Those Tags
A new location means new contact information for if your dog runs off one day, so be sure to take the time to update your dog’s tags. You can also consider microchipping, so you can keep tabs on him or her from location to location.
Locate the Nearest Vet
You can never be too prepared when it comes to the wellbeing of your best friend and confidant, so be sure to locate the nearest vet — especially one that can accommodate an emergency visit. As soon as you know where your new assignment is, you can start looking. Try Veterinarians.com or even a local Yelp search, and remember that another optional Medical Solutions traveler perk is our voluntary pet insurance benefit.
Find a Doggy Daycare and/or Sitter
Once you’re in your new home away from home, find a doggy daycare nearby that you can utilize when work demands more of your time. You can also check out Rover.com to find referenced, trusted local pet sitters who can help you with anything from walking and feeding to grooming and training.
Find Local Parks and Walking Trails
Exercise is so important for your dog, so take the time to research nearby dog parks and trails to hit up before and after work or on your days off. Not only is this a great way for you to help your dog socialize with other pups, who knows, you could even make some human friends along the way, too! Did someone say doggy playdate?
Make Doggy Playdates with Other Nurses
Speaking of playdates … you’re probably not the only one at your latest location with a dog. This is a great opportunity for you and your little pal to make new friends. Plus, you can share tips on where the best dog parks and walking trails are.
Find Dog-friendly Establishments Nearby
Shopping can be a whole lot easier when you can bring your dog along with you, so explore BringFido.com to find out which establishments are pet friendly. You can find anything from pet supplies to eateries because, let’s face it, there’s nothing quite like brunch with your pup.
Smooch Your Pooch
Moving can be stressful for both humans and dogs, so it’s not a bad idea to schedule in some extra cuddle time. Be sure to give your dog some extra special attention in the beginning. Keep familiar toys and other items nearby so your new place feels more like home to them. This will help relieve some of your dog’s anxiety — and it’ll also help you feel more at peace, too.
I hope these tips help you and your dog make assignment transitions as smoothly as possible. Now, if you haven’t already found pet-friendly housing, that’s where we can help. At Medical Solutions, when you take our paid company housing our team of housing experts will help you find comfortable, pet-friendly housing options to accommodate you and your furry friend.
If you’re a traveler whose dog goes everywhere with you, we’d love to hear from you in the comments. What other helpful tips can you share with traveling owner-pet duos that are just starting out?