Can You Do Travel Nursing with a Dog? Absolutely!
Our furry friends can bring extra joy to traveling. Take the stress out of bringing your beloved dog - or dogs - with you on your next travel assignment.
The Ins and Outs of Travel Nursing with Pets
We know that many of our travelers love their four-legged fur babies, and wouldn’t be able to enjoy their assignments
without them!
Travel nursing with your dogs in tow might sound daunting, but the reality is that many nurses have seamlessly
integrated their pooches into their travel careers. Here are some tips and tricks to make your dog’s travel stress-free!
Road-Tripping with Fido
Whether you’re just driving three hours from home or you’re leaving the Northeast for a
travel nurse job in California, proper planning can take the headache out of bringing your
dog on the road with you.
Before You Travel
- We strongly suggest restraining your dog when you travel with him in the car. Every year thousands of accidents are
attributed to dogs that are not kept safe in a harness, car seat, or crate. Unrestrained dogs are also often injured
in accidents. Restraints can take the form of
dog car seats,
seat belts,
crates, etc.
- Once you decide on a restraint method, acclimate your dog to both the restraint style and to riding in the car, if he
isn’t used to it already. This will make a longer trip less stressful for him.
- Make sure the information on your dog’s ID tag is current so that you can be contacted in case you are separated.
- Visit your veterinarian shortly before you embark on your trip. Request a health certificate and updated copies of
your dog’s shots and vaccines, which may be requested from hotels. Also, be sure that your dog’s rabies tag is
up-to-date.
**Pro Tip: Does your dog get car sick? If so, consider talking to your veterinarian. This isn’t uncommon, and
many vets will prescribe something to make your canine companion more comfortable on a road trip.
- Try to exercise your dog thoroughly the day before and/or day of your travel, depending on your departure time. This
will help keep him calm in the car. If you are driving all day to reach your new location, take breaks every two hours
or so to enable your dog to take a short walk. This will prevent pain in your dog’s hip joints and preserve your dog’s
contentment.
- It is also a good idea to find a veterinarian and a pet store near your new temporary home.
Make a list of everything you will need in your new temporary home before you pack up so you do not forget something
your pet will need!
On the Road
- Book any hotels in advance so that you’re certain of finding pet-friendly hotels and rooms. Never try to sneak your
dog into a hotel room to avoid a pet fee or pet deposit. Many hotels charge extra above and beyond the normal fees if
they catch an undisclosed dog in a room.
**Pro Tip: If you book through a discount website such as Expedia or Travelocity, we suggest you call the hotel
and inform them that you will be bringing a dog. While the discount site may mark the hotel as dog-friendly, many
hotels have a limited number of dog-friendly rooms - and you need to make sure one has your name on it!
- Make sure that you have plenty of dog food and water stored in an accessible spot in your vehicle. Don’t forget to
offer your dog water often throughout the day.
- Keep your dog’s leash - and your poop bags - close at hand for bathroom breaks.
After Your Arrival
- Count on your dog having extra energy after being cooped up in the car. Plan on exercising him extra in the days
following your travel!
- Do your pets seem content to be at home while you are out working? After several years of quarantine life,
many pets showed signs of separation anxiety at being left alone.
If your dog or cat does not like to be left alone for long periods of time, you need to
have a plan in place. Try to
keep your departure low-key, maybe give them a favorite treat or toy when you leave. Some experts even suggest leaving
an audiobook on auto play! You can also have someone check on your cat or dog if you're away for a longer period of
time.
Travel Nursing with a Big Dog
If you’ve got a big dog, like a Great Dane or a Pitbull, you already know that some hotels and apartments have size
restrictions. Work with your American Traveler recruiter and our housing experts to make sure your large, lovable
canines will be welcome at every stop along the way.
Flying with Fido
In certain circumstances, you may choose to fly to your travel nurse job instead of drive. Bringing a pet with you on a
flight is possible, and many people do it frequently, but there is a lot involved.
First of all, the rules surrounding flying with your dog change depending on whether you have a large or small dog.
Small dogs - dogs that can fit comfortably in a crate that slides under an airplane seat - may be able to fly in-cabin
on many airlines. Dogs that are too large or heavy to do so have to fly in a separate compartment. The rules of air
travel for dogs in-cabin or in cargo are completely different.
Secondly, depending on your airline, the time of year, your breed of dog, etc., the qualifications for flying with your
dog will change. It’s important to research required paperwork requirements (vaccinations, health certificates, etc.),
crate requirements (size, constructions, etc.), pet ticketing rules, and other airline regulations to be sure that you
and your dog are set for stress-free travel long before your travel date!
Whether you choose to fly or drive, having your furry friend with you on your assignment can make it an unforgettable
experience!
We Love Your Pets Almost as Much as You Do!
American Traveler has many resources to make traveling with your pets easier, including discounted pet insurance that
your recruiter can give you details on. We love working with RNs who travel with their pets, we have assisted travelers
with dogs, cats, birds, and even horses! Talk to your recruiter to find out more!