By Furnished Finder

October 25, 2024

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Tips for Traveling on Assignment With a Pet

When you are considering if travel nursing is the right move for you, a hard part of the decision-making process can often revolve around pets. 

Can you take pets with you on assignment? How will housing work with pets? Can you take multiple pets? Will it be more expensive? 

The short answer is that yes–you can be a travel nurse and bring your pet along! Just like lots of pieces of pet ownership, it will simply require a little more planning and perhaps additional cost if you choose to travel with your pets. However, with travel nurse-friendly housing platforms like Furnished Finder, securing pet-friendly housing while on assignment is easier than ever. 

Furnished Finder has a “Pets Welcome” filter that makes it easy to find landlords who are willing to accommodate your furry friend. However, there are a few things to keep in mind if you are planning on bringing your pet with you. 

Tips for Traveling on Assignment With a Pet

pets

Ground Level Entry

Furnished Finder does have a fair amount of apartments or condos listed. If you are bringing a dog that needs to go outside several times per day, it might be nice to book a ground-level unit so you aren’t dealing with stairs or an elevator all the time. It might not sound like a big deal if you haven’t had to walk a dog down three flights of stairs several times a day, but it gets old quickly! 

Bring a Kennel

Ideally, your pet will be comfortable in their kennel prior to you leaving your home base. The fact is you just never know how an animal will react in a new space. Everything from old smells on furniture to city noises or neighbors could be a potential trigger for bad behavior. If you are even a little worried that your pet might get nervous or misbehave when you leave, it is best to keep them in a safe space while you are gone. 

Remember–in furnished units, there are far more items that could become the victim of a pet that gets a little anxious in its new space. You don’t want to be responsible for replacing expensive items like a mattress or couch!

pets

Be Honest and Upfront

Please, please be honest and upfront about the size and type of the pet you are bringing along. Some landlords have specific requirements for pets, and it will save everyone a big headache if you respect their preferences. Chances are, if your dog is too big or they don’t allow cats, it’s for a good reason, and you will be more comfortable booking elsewhere! 

Check Photos and Reviews

One of the best parts about Furnished Finder is the pictures. We strongly encourage our landlords to post lots of photos of the property so you have a good idea of the space you will be getting. Use this to your advantage when deciding which space will be ideal for you and your pet. 

For example, if you have a long-haired cat or dog that sheds a bunch, maybe the unit with a velvet sofa or tons of carpet isn’t the one for you. 

Look for Fenced Yards

Finding a midterm rental with a fenced yard might seem like an impossible feat on the surface, but with Furnished Finder, it might be easier than you think! The beauty of Furnished Finder is that the landlords know that having a truly pet-friendly space and not just a space that “accepts” pets will help them keep their rental filled. If you have a dog that needs a lot of exercise or even multiple dogs, try looking for “Entire Units” that are standalone homes. Securing the perfect space with a fenced yard might not be as out of reach as you think. 

Ask the Landlord for Tips

Most landlords who run pet-friendly rentals are either animal lovers or pet owners themselves. Feel free to ask them about local resources to make your stay more comfortable, such as dog parks, pet sitters, or dog walkers. This is much easier than sifting through reviews and maps trying to find these things yourself. 

Traveling with a pet is very feasible, and just like everything else related to travel nursing, it gets easier the more you do it. Don’t be deterred from this lifestyle simply because of your furry friend. In fact, it’s usually even more fun when you get to bring them along! 

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

By LeaderStat

February 22, 2024

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Make Traveling With Your Dog Paw-Friendly With These Apps!

LeaderStat provided this article.

Hey there, pet lovers! Did you know that there are about 63 million dog-owning households in the US alone? That’s a whole lot of wagging tails! Whether you’re hitting the road for a travel nursing gig or planning a cross-country adventure, it’s important to know what’s out there for your furry friend.

Here are some apps that’ll help you sniff out all the best spots for your furry friend:

furry friend

1. BarkHappy

Available on iOS and Android, it is like your dog’s personal tour guide. It will lead you to dog-friendly places like parks, restaurants, and hotels. Plus, you can arrange playdates with other pups in your area and maybe even treat yourselves to a puppuccino from Starbucks afterward!

2. BringFido

BringFido has nearly 20,000 reviews on iOS. This app is the ultimate resource for pet-friendly places. From hotels to parks to beaches, this app has got you covered. You can even filter your search to find accommodations that welcome large dogs or multiple pooches. And hey, some hotels won’t even charge you extra for bringing your furry friend along! BringFido is available on iOS and Android.

3. Rover

furry friend

Hold on to your tails, folks! This app is a real crowd-pleaser! Between users on iOS and Android, Rover has nearly 300,000 reviews! The average rating on this app on iOS is 4.9 stars – a true showstopper. It is rated the #1 pet-sitting and dog-walking app. It’s your go-to for pet sitting and dog walking services. They’ve got everything from doggy daycare to overnight boarding, all provided by vetted professionals. You can even get real-time photo updates of your pet while you’re away. It’s like having a personal pet concierge!

4. Paw Parks

Need to let your pup stretch their legs? Paw Parks helps you find dog parks nearby, and you can even add new ones to the map! Available on iOS, this app is perfect for making the most of your adventures with your furry friend.

Now, let’s talk about you, the pet parent. Just like you’re prepared for medical emergencies with humans, it’s important to be ready for anything with your pet too. The Red Cross offers a Cat and Dog First Aid course for just $25. In this 30-minute course, you’ll learn all about vital signs, what to do in emergencies like choking or seizures, and tips for preventative care.

The American Red Cross also offers a free Pet First Aid app. Loaded with information you can keep at your fingertips, such as first aid, general health issues, and CPR demonstration videos, this app is a must-have for all pet owners!

Pets are family. So, before you head out on your next travel assignment or a vacation with your tail-wagger in tow, make sure to download at least one of the apps above so they can meet new furry faces in faraway places.

We hope you enjoyed this article on apps to make traveling with your furry friend easier. Do you use any apps when traveling with your furry friend? Comment them below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

Need somewhere to stay on your next travel nurse assignment? We’ve got you covered. Check out our housing page to find your ideal home away from home. Click here to start your search.

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

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

By Alex McCoy

January 4, 2024

1724 Views

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How to Keep Your Pets Safe During RV Travel

Working as a travel nurse while living in an RV is a great way to bring your home with you wherever you go. There are a lot of reasons people may decide to live in an RV while travel nursing, but a huge factor for most people is being able to bring their pets along without having to worry about finding pet-friendly housing. 

Bringing your pets along in an RV can allow you to travel with multiple pets, elderly pets who are less able to adjust to new spaces, or bring along large breed dogs that may make rental housing difficult.

Tips for RV Travel With Pets:

rv travel

However, one aspect of living with your pets in an RV that does not get talked about enough is how to ensure your pets are safe when you are at work or sightseeing around town.

While modern RVs come with tons of features and amenities that can make your home on wheels, feel very much like a “regular” house. But keep in mind RVs are made to be lightweight and portable, which can cause the quality of different aspects to be less than what you would see in a regular house.

Safe Temperatures

One huge concern when traveling with pets in an RV is maintaining safe temperatures for your furry friends while you are out and about. Unfortunately, RV air conditioners and heaters can sometimes be temperamental, or thermostats might not be 100% accurate. 

In rare times when your heating and cooling malfunctions, it’s important to have a remote monitoring system to keep an eye on your home when you are away. Extreme temperatures can happen quickly in an RV since insulation is minimal, and the risk of freezing temperatures or heat stroke can be detrimental to your animal’s health. 

First, you will need a WiFi setup that connects to whatever monitoring system you choose. Some options for RV WiFi are using a hotspot or using mobile wireless systems. These are WiFi routers that act similar to a regular router, but rely on cellular service to provide your internet.

Temperature Monitor Options:

Next, you can decide if you want to use a simple temperature monitor or something more complex. The temperature monitors are actually great for monitoring things like underbelly temperature as well, especially if you are traveling somewhere that gets below freezing and you are worried about pipes freezing.

Basic temperature monitors are relatively cheap on places like Amazon, and you can usually buy multiple for around your RV. 

rv travel

If you prefer something more high-tech, you might consider looking into a specialized pet camera. Waggle is a very popular brand that has everything from temperature monitoring to treat dispensers and cameras. 

Waggle also provides some great information on heat stroke in dogs and why it is so important to keep an eye on their environmental temperature when you are away. 

Of course, paying for a dog walker or pet sitter to check in is always an option.

However, the risk of a malfunction happening right after someone leaves is still there, and the temperature in your RV may still be too high for your pets to survive until the next person is there to check in on them. 

RV Travel with pets is a great option for many travel nurses. Just like anything else, being informed and prepared is extremely important to keep your entire family happy and healthy. Don’t skimp on pet safety while traveling in an RV, even if you are convinced an accident won’t happen to you! 

Interested in a travel nursing job? Our job board is a great place to search for assignments, and if housing is an issue, our housing page can help. It’s time to make a difference!

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

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

By Amber Kendra

April 23, 2021

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5 Tips When Searching for Housing with a Dog

Travel nursing is an extraordinary experience. Traveling with a dog (or three) can make the experience infinitely better! I’m Amber from @shesoutwandering, and I have been traveling for over three years with my three Bernese Mountain Dogs @Lovedogs_Traveloften. We have lived in 9 different states while on assignment, and I cannot imagine this journey without them. They have brought me peace, comfort, and laughter after long shifts. They are my best friends,, and without them, I believe that life would be a lot less exciting.

We are currently living during a pandemic, and options will be limited due to extenuating circumstances. Before accepting a travel assignment with a pet, some things to consider include safety of the area; housing availability; accessible veterinary care; options for daycare, walkers or daily exercise; and your work schedule.

I am going to share five tips that will hopefully make your housing search a little less stressful.

Tips for Traveling with a Dog

Traveling with a dog

Train Your Dog

Train Your Dog! I can not stress this enough. Training in basic manners is an excellent start (to a level of canine good citizen is an excellent goal). I am a strong advocate for professional obedience training using positive reinforcement. Studies show that owners with behaviourally sound pets get more satisfaction and have a stronger bond with their pets. Having a dog that is well-trained, obedient, happy, relaxed, responsive, and easy for you to manage means, you will get more pleasure from dog ownership as a result. Dedicating time to obedience training also shows potential landlords that you are a responsible pet owner that cares for the socialization and safety of your dog. Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong. You’ll simply have better results if you can prove it.

Traveling with a dog

Search Pet Friendly Cities.

Did you know that some areas are far more pet friendly than others? This inevitably makes finding housing easier. Consider basing your search for an assignment in an area that will welcome you and your pup as well as offer new experiences. City suggestions are Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Asheville, NC; and Colorado Springs, CO to name a few. You’ll find delicious restaurants with unique menus for your dog, exceptional outdoor activities, and play areas etched into beautiful landscapes.

5 Tips When Searching for Housing with a Dog

Develop a Pet Resume.

Yep, you read that right. Compile training awards and certificates into a document with a photo of your pet. Include information on how often you groom your dog, vaccine records, what exercise plan you follow, and anything that would allow you to stand out as an exceptional pet owner. Ask previous landlords for written references. Contact your vet and groomer to request a recommendation regarding the care you provide for your dog.

Traveling with a dog

Have a Pet Savings Account.

Pets are family members, and many landlords are treating them as such. A rental with more than one human will likely result in additional cost and the same goes for pets. Expect to pay a refundable deposit or pet rent. These prices can vary from city to city and having a financial plan can be incredibly helpful during the search.

5 Tips When Searching for Housing with a Dog

Utilize All Resources.

Finally, use all available resources to search for housing. AirBNB, VRBO, Furnished Finder, Facebook Marketplace, hotels, and even local real estate agents can help expand the search allowing for more options.   

If you’re reading this then we can probably all agree that enjoying the views while hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, beach days at Cannon Beach outside of Portland and city adventures at Pike Place Market in Seattle are more enjoyable with a dog. Really anything is better with a dog so keep these tips in mind during your next housing search while traveling with a dog. Feel free to follow our adventures on @Lovedogs_Traveloften and share your adventures with us. We love to hear success stories from our pet loving friends! 

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

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

By Republic Health Resources-RHR

December 23, 2020

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Effective Travel With Your Dog!

This article was provided by Republic Health Resources

If 2020 has taught me anything it’s how important and rewarding it is to travel, especially with my dog, to new places that provide their own unique experiences. Much as you all do traveling the world from assignment to assignment!

Although my version of traveling with my dog may be different, there are still a lot of similarities if you travel with your dog!

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!

Tell your dog we said HI and safe travels!

Helpful items if you travel with your dog:

Locally/Online sold – Dixie Dog Treats

Locally/Online sold – CBD American Shawman Treats

Travel Bag – Amazon

Travel -Tainer – Amazon

34oz Red Collapsible Bowl – Amazon

Hotel/Room Door Hanger

12oz Blue Collapsible Bowl – Amazon

Poop Bags & Poop Dispenser

On the go water and water dispenser

Seatbelt

Bungee Cords (packing/travel)

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!

By Hannah Dennis

December 12, 2020

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Travel Nursing With Pets

Hello fellow gypsies!

I want to introduce you to the main man in my life:

Mr. Hank E. Hankerton. Yes, he’s a doggo. I know you’re gonna ask about his middle name, but he’s not even told me what the “E” stands for (and apparently never will.)

Since day one, Hank has been traveling with me, and while we like parks, traveling with him isn’t always a walk-in one. This shouldn’t dissuade you, though!

Hank and I are here to help! There are three huge points you need to consider when deciding whether to travel with your pets or not: their health, the trip, and your housing.

Travel Nurse Pets on Assignment

The first comes as a bit of a no brainer

—you know if your pet is healthy enough to start traveling to new places every 3 months, but there are aspects you don’t think about until you’re in the situation. I always travel with a copy of Hank’s medical records and a 6-month supply of any medication he may need. This is helpful because if something were to happen (hello, ingested rubber band ball incident of 2015), you would have medical records on hand to provide to the veterinary professionals to help make things a little smoother.

Always mention to your personal vet where your next travel nurse assignment is taking you and how long you’ll plan on being there. My vet has recommended a different type of vaccination or a change in monthly flea/tick/worm protection based on the area we’re traveling to and the time of year we’ll be there. Also, since she knows we’ll be out of the area, I can call her with any small concerns, and she will happily give me medical recommendations or call prescriptions into a local pharmacy if Hank needs them.

This is such a wonderful convenience, but you should always have a local emergency vet in mind should something major happen. While we were in Colorado, we had to go to the emergency vet (twice) because Hank has this thing about eating things that aren’t food. Knowing who I needed to call and where I was driving saved me so much precious time getting Hank to the emergency room when he was desperately sick.

If you aren’t sure where to look, ask your new co-workers. People love talking about their pets, and they usually have great veterinarian recommendations.

Secondly, you need to consider the trip.

Travel Nurse Pets on Assignment

I’ve loved traveling all over the country with Hank. We get where we need to go, but we take fun pet-friendly detours that help break up our drives. If you plan your road trips, you can find cool detour attractions that will increase your drive’s entertainment and provide a good energy outlet for your pet. Hank and I have stopped at national parks, roadside attractions, and even Las Vegas!

Parks are easy to find on websites like DogFriendly.com. They can give you a great idea of places you can take your pets in the area you’re currently in.

For my trips, I always have these necessities in my car: a beach towel, my handy-dandy squeezy water bottle, one week’s worth of food, a collapsible bowl, baby wipes, and Hank’s medical records.

Overnight stays can get a little tricky, but I’ve never had an issue staying with Hank at La Quinta Inn and Suites. They don’t charge pet fees, and they’re super budget-friendly for a one-night stop on the way to your destination.

Lastly, you have to consider housing.

Short-term, furnished, wallet-friendly housing is hard to find anyway but add “pet-friendly” on top of that, and you’re looking for a needle in a haystack.

I search on AirBNB or other rental services for housing that falls within my budget/desired area and message owners directly to explain my situation. Some people stand firm on their decision to allow no pets, but some will make exceptions. It never hurts to ask. It also helps to do a search on Facebook for housing groups.

Many places I’ve traveled have their own local version of a “for rent/sublet/roommate search” group that you can join, and don’t forget to join The Gypsy Nurse Housing group on Facebook! There are tons of great options and suggestions from your fellow travel nurses!

If nothing else works out, Hank and I have stayed in an Extended Stay Hotel before for 4 weeks. It wasn’t a bad experience, and many times your travel companies have group rate discounts that you can provide if you ask your recruiter (hint: they can be great resources).

The key to a good pet travel experience is keeping your pet’s normal routine. Hank and I move frequently, but he knows that when I put my scrubs on, it means it’s time for dinner and goodbye treats! If you have a pet and you’ve been considering traveling, I say do it! For me, not having Hank with me isn’t an option. He’s my best friend, and I’m his. I’m so happy we’ve been able to emBARK (hah!) on this travel journey together, and I hope you and your furbaby can have the same amazing experiences.

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

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