When I look back at my old office job, I know deciding to leave and becoming a dog walker was the best decision I ever made. As a professional dog walker, I get to spend every day with all types of dogs and the sense of purpose in training a young or difficult dog provides me with a real sense of acheivment and purpose. I truely believe that dogs are a girls best friend!
My day starts with training 2 3month old Rottweilers called Coco and Channel. They stayed with me while I house-trained them, which takes roughly two weeks. Now when I go to their owner's house to collect them for class, it is like being welcomed by a long lost friend! There is always lots of cuddles and stroking before we set off on our walk!
My first walk is with two Labs, a Hungarian Vizsla, a Norfolk Terrier, a Cairn Terrier and a beautiful Dachshund. They are old acquaintances these days as I have been walking them for over 2 years. Every pick up I am greeted with extreme pleasure, as I am the key to their enjoyment for the day. They all love the park, but more than this they love being part of a social pack. Dogs, as we know are pack animals and being part of a dog walkers round gives them such a release and enjoyment. It can also iron out any social behavioural problems a dog is having.
Lunchtime and my training session starts with Rocky a 9month old Maltese, who will not stop barking!!! He lives up to his name and not his size barking at dogs, people, sticks, trees, basically everything he comes into contact with! I have been working with him for 2 weeks and already the improvement is undeniable. I tell the clients he has what I call 'Tom Cruise syndrome'; he overcompensates because of his small stature! He will join the pack next week, which should alleviate most of his anxieties
My second round is another mix of breeds, which includes the famous Kensington Puggles. (a Pug beagle cross). People have stopped cars on Kensington High street to find out the breed of these dogs, they are that cute! Tonight the Puggles and Tasha, my King Charles will be coming to stay with me for two weeks while their owners are away. The dogs always have as good a holiday as the owners do!
Being a dog walker is certainly very physical work. As a trainer I have been bitten, scratched and had damage to both of my knees from restraining and retraining dogs. This aside, I believe it was what I was born to do. I love all of my dogs as if they were my own and they are all so happy to be able to play with eachother, it makes everything worth while. As the great George Orwell wrote 'four legs good, two legs bad', which are my sentiments exactly when it comes to any working environment!!
Copyright (c) 2008 Able Skills
Most of us are familiar with Nursing Assistants, but we don't really know all that is required for them to complete their work efficiently and of the best quality. Time restraints can often make it difficult to decide to do a job better or to get more done. Thus, having an outstanding work ethic is of the utmost importance.
Nursing Assistants must also have excellent communication skills. They are required to have interactions with patients, family members, Nurses, and a variety of other medical professionals. It is imperative that they are able to effectively reply and communication that needs to take place with these various types of individuals.
It is widely known that Nursing Assistants provide basic are for patients including feeding, bathing, and dressing. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when you take a look at all the various duties involved in being an effective Nurse Assistant. While the specific duties will vary according to the medical facility you work for, there are some that are found in most every one.
Bathing is generally either a shower or a bed bath depending on the level of care the patient requires. Personal hygiene including combing hair, brushing teeth, applying makeup, cleaning dentures all needs to be done for each individual patient. Shaving is also to be taken into consideration, and completed as needed.
Taking patients vital signs are a daily requirement of Nursing Assistants. Taking vital signs includes temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. This information that is recorded on the patients chart, and reviewed by the Nursing staff and other medical professionals.
For patients requiring assistance with eating, the routine can take 20-60 minutes depending on the abilities of the patient and how much food they consume. The Nursing Assistant needs to document the type of food and drink consumed and the quantities of each on the patient's chart. Some patients will need to take vitamins and other nutritional supplements, also the duty of the Nursing Assistant to administer.
It is also the duty of the Nursing Assistant in many medical facilities to be responsible for getting those who can feed themselves ready to be taken to the dining area. This may just be having their grooming done or helping to lift them into a wheelchair and take them to the dining area.
Nursing assistants will need to change any bedding or other soiled materials if found on the patient. This is a case by case basis and will vary each day. While interacting with the patient, you will need to document their behaviors. It is important that you notify the Nurse on duty if you see any changes that are unexpected or not generally seen. You will be trained in what to look for.
Keeping a sharp eye for details will assist any Nursing Assistant with successfully performing all duties. Caring for people changes because their needs change as well as those you are caring for changes. How quickly you are caring for new patients depends on the type of medical facility you work for.
In addition to performing all of these essential duties, Nursing Assistants are responsible for providing emotional support to patients and their families. This can be helping patients feel comfortable with their surroundings, hanging a photo on the wall for them, or helping them compose a letter. Family members may want you to certain things for a patient such as braid their hair daily or keep their fingernails short.
Performing all the duties of a Nursing Assistant takes practice, dedication, organization, and a sincere desire to help others. It can be an exhausting effort on some days, and often a job no one thanks them for doing. However, for those who enjoy what they do and take pride in it, we need to stop and see all that they do in a days work. They provide valuable services to patients and the medical profession.
Both Matt Morgan & Albert Alexander are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Matt Morgan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Family and Education. Precious Pooch provide the service of in London. Matt Morgan's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
Albert Alexander has sinced written about articles on various topics from Fitness, Stress Management and Pets. We're a resource site for those looking for or need. Visit us o. Albert Alexander's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.