Can you take your pets on travel nursing or healthcare assignments? The short answer is yes! But you’ll need to do some planning first. Here’s everything you need to know about allied travel or travel nursing with pets.
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Can Healthcare Travelers Take Pets on Assignment?
Healthcare travel jobs have a lot to offer, including great income, improved work/life flexibility, and the chance to get paid to see America. But what if you could have all of that, and bring your loved ones with you, too?
Well, we’ve got some great news — you can! Many nurses and allied travelers take their pets on assignment. You just need a little preparation, and to be aware of the rules and costs. We’ve got you covered with a guide to the basics of travel nursing with pets.
“Can I bring my pets on assignment?” Yes! And here’s how.
Tip #1: Getting Ready: Preparation & Documentation
Step one is gathering all of your pet’s documentation. Even if your pet doesn’t use medication or have any other health needs, you still may need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) to document vaccination status and positive health. Each state has different requirements, so double-check your destination state’s details here to see what you’ll need to bring. And check your airline, too!
- Pro Tip: Ask your vet for help on what documentation you need and how to get it. They may even have a web portal where you can download your pet's docs.
- Level Up! If you’ve got pet insurance, bring a copy of that too — and if you don’t, consider getting some, stat!
Tip #2: Getting There: Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Getting there is half the fun — but only if you're prepared! Whether it’s a 24-hour drive or a half-hour flight, planning ahead is absolutely key. If you’re driving, double-check to make sure your pet crates or seats are still in safe working condition. And consider whether your pet has the patience for long journeys, or whether you’ll need to break things up with frequent stops along the way.
- Pro Tip: Make sure your prepared for every aspect of flying with your pet by following the Humane Society’s best practices.
- Level Up! Some travelers use calming wraps (like ThunderWorks) to help soothe anxious animals. You may also consider medications like Trazadone, Phenobarbital, Xanax, or calming chews. As always, check with your vet first.
Tip #3: Finding a Home: Pet-Friendly Housing
Maybe the most important thing to plan for when traveling with a pet is where you’ll be staying. Even if you’re staying with friends or family, you’ll need to make sure pets are allowed! Not all apartments and hotels allow them, and those that do usually have restrictions on weight, size, breed, number of pets, or other factors. And you can expect to pay a security deposit of at least $100.
- Pro Tip: Always call ahead (or check their website) before you book!
- Level Up! Plenty of hotel chains do welcome pets, including La Quinta, Motel 6, and Red Roof Inn. You can also find pet-friendly search options in places like Airbnb and Booking.com. Popular long-term apartment locators like FurnishedFinder.com also let you filter for places that allow pets.
Tip #4: Supporting Wellness: Daily Care
Travel jobs can mean working a few 12-hour shifts in a row. And even if they don’t, you'll want to make sure your pets don’t feel forgotten when you’re not at home. Find housing that’s close to dog parks, hiking trails, or other canine-friendly attractions so you can have plenty of quality time when you're at home, and consider using a dog-walking or other pet check-in service when you're not.
- Pro Tip: You can find pet-friendly restaurants, parks, trails, and more at sites like BringFido, PetsWelcome and DogPack.
- Level Up! App-based services like Sittercity, Rover or Wag for dogs and Meowtel for cats offer pre-screened helpers to check in while you're at work.
Tip #5: Staying Supplied: Stock Up with Essentials
You'll probably have access to everything your pet needs at your new location, but it still never hurts to stock up on the essentials! This is a no-brainer for medications and favorite foods, of course. But it also includes travel gear, leashes, treats, shampoo, and other items you really don’t want to be without.
- Pro Tip: Driving to your assignment? You'll have plenty of extra room for food and toys, along with bulky items such as beds, fences, blankets, and more.
- Level Up! The Farmer's Dog, PetSmart, Chewy, and Walmart are all solid pet suppliers that offer discounts to nurses and healthcare workers via the ID.me membership. Learn more about getting those discounts here.
Live Your Best Traveler’s Lifestyle with HealthTrust
In the long run, the best tip for travel nursing with pets is to find a job provider who offers plenty of opportunities! Whether you’re looking to travel to Florida, Colorado, New England, California, or anywhere else on the map, you’ll find assignments in the places you love with HealthTrust. Search our travel jobs today!
