Who cares for nursing home and assisted living pets?

A younger man in my mom’s SNF had a dog, and when she passed, he got another. He had no visible incapacities, so I believe his concerns were mental. I’m sure the dog, even though not official, was a comfort dog to him. He took exclusive care of the dog. He was allowed outside and could often be seen walking his dog down the hallway to take her outside. She could be left alone in his room and seldom barked. When she had to go to the vet’s, an aide who was a friend would take them both. As for animals who belong to facilities, in the staff population there is certainly someone who will feed and care for the animals. Some may even be the pet of one of the staff. A lot of organizations exist now where comfort animals are brought in by their owners for visits.

I know of one facility that had one cat. It's now passed away and has not been replaced. The facility was a Nursing home on one wing and AL on the other. The cat was fed by the facility staff. I never questioned about littler box, but, suspect the cat went outside to do his business. It seemed to have free reign of the place. The cat wandered all over the facility and the staff told me that he would stay longer for visits with those who died the next day. I had 2 great aunts who stayed at this facility, so, I saw the cat there over a period of years.

I have wondered if pets in that setting would be a trip hazard. It's one concern that I have for my parents with an indoor pet that clamors near their feet.

One older lady with dementia was in the same Memory Care area as my Dad. She had a cute little dog named Sammy. Once in a while Sammy decided he wanted a good run through the facility and there was this well-dressed, well-groomed lady chasing after him yelling "G__ D____, Sammy, get back there". Since this lady wasn't allowed to go outside, the family had hired a dog-walker who came several times during the day to walk the dog outside.

In the Independent Living side of the complex, there was a facility dog. A small dust mop type of dog. He was friendly and very quiet, would beg for treats during the social house. The Staff said he would bark twice a year.

I would think a facility would have a Border Collie to help round up the residents when they were outside :)

Thanks for the responses. I don't know why I keep reading about facilities that have pets if it is so uncommon - I especially mean ones belonging to the facility. You keep reading these feel good stories about people with dementia finding a purpose and improving because they help to feed the birds or about the nursing home cat who sits with the dying and they sound so wonderful.... but they've always made me wonder about who is actually caring for these animals and if it is part of the job description when someone is hired?

I am in NJ. The ALs here allow pets but only if the resident can care for it or a family member. Nhs do not allow residents to have pets. Therapy dogs were allowed to visit. They had cats out in the courtyard that were fed by the facility and shelter given.

I've wondered about this too. The Jewish Home in San Francisco had a big, beautiful cat on one its wards when I used to visit a friend there a few years ago. This cat was so friendly and mellow. I think having it around calmed everyone down a bit.

I had a job with the state to assist all medical facility in writing an emergency plan. I noticed that two of the ‘sister’ nursing homes did allow pets. Cats mostly with a large dog or two. It seemed ownership was the facilities and I know I enjoyed visiting there, the atmosphere was happier and more relaxing.

This was NOT New York.

My dad has his dog in AL, when he first moved in caregivers fed her, after a month or so he wanted to feed her, he has a door to the backyard in his room so is able to let her out and if she has an accident the caregivers clean up. I don't think they like to however, they are the ones that said she could be there. I had him prepared for visits and I promised to take care of her. Now they would have a fight on there hands trying to kick her out.  All of the other residents love her.

NY isn’t the most pet friendly state so others may have a different story. But when investigating AL for my mom we would have had to pay an additional $1000 non refundable payment and Mom would have been totally responsible for the care and feeding and litter box for her cat. The staff make it clear they have no responsibility for the pet and it’s in the contract. Mom wasn’t capable of taking care of it. In her previous apartment her private care giver took care of the cat. And now I have inherited it. Also the AL all encouraged residents to leave their doors open in a community spirit so that wouldn’t be possible with a pet and I think they were trying to discourage it. Her NH of course doesn’t allow residents to have pets, but hers allow the dogs to visit, if up to date on shots and vet statement on record. My dog goes every week.