Traveling Dogs: Chasing Independence

As someone who traveled around the United States with Chloe as a traveling occupational therapist for five years, I ran across so many perks and so many challenges on all our adventures. In this new monthly series dedicated for traveling healthcare workers, I’d like to focus my first post on the theme of this month in the United States: Independence. Independence Day is when we celebrate becoming a nation and patriotism, and I also think it’s important we take the time to celebrate our own independence. That is, as adventure pet parents!

How to Begin the Pursuit of True Independence

Of course, taking the first steps toward being independent depends on your definition of independence. I read once that “We are all prisoners at one time or another in our lives, prisoners to ourselves or to the expectations of those around us. It is a burden that all people endure, that all people despise, and that few people ever learn to escape.” That was written by R.A. Salvatore for all of those dungeons and dragons fans reading!

This idea of freedom means defying what society has planned, what others expect, and what you’re “supposed” to do with your life. It means finding your own dream, and chasing it down with the obstinate determination of someone running from the police after committing a crime. We want freedom, so we must create our freedom and relish in every moment of it.

As travelers, this is so much fun! Life is incredibly unplanned when you travel for work. You could be anywhere from Florida to Alaska at any given time (of course you do have a choice in it, and also need your license to practice health care in that state). And it changes every few months! This lack of having a plan in mind, truly allows you to embrace every moment of independence that you can. And, it keeps your adventure dog by your side while you pursue your dreams!

Once you know your goal, you can begin to take the steps toward achieving it- whether it be financial steps, fitness goals, or anything else in the world: chase down that dream! Because meeting goals that you set for yourself is truly what independence means to me.

How to Be Social and Independent

When you travel for work and move every few months, making those connections while on assignment makes an enormous impact! Connecting with the locals allows opportunities like line dancing in Missouri, gumbo in Louisiana, rattlesnake hunting in Oklahoma, kayaking the swamps of South Carolina- oh so many local opportunities all around the states! Embracing your independence does not mean you have to be alone with your adventure dog. It does mean you can pursue whatever adventure you desire, and you can include your adventure dog too.

I like to bring Chloe with me to work, so I can make new friends when they interact with her. Plus Chloe LOVES people and being social! I also always connect with a doggy daycare, dog parks which are surprisingly social experiences; and before COVID when training was open; we found some awesome connections at the American Kennel Club and other training classes!

Sitting in a lunch room, speaking up during meetings, never hesitating to offer your number to the team- these all are awesome ways to meet people on travel assignments, and be both social and independent. I also use meetup.com and explore Facebook events for fun activities.

Freedom: Now What?

After you begin to take steps toward your traveling dreams- whether you pack up your car with your pet and head to your first assignment, or you are traveling between contract number 8 and 9- I encourage you to recognize the decisions you’ve made on your own as steps toward a completely independent life!

I found on my travel journey that Chloe and I were free to choose any path we wished. In our minds, this freedom to make decisions on our own, to realize we can do literally ANYTHING in the world on our own helped us embrace our independence.

I hope this was an inspiring read for you all! What goals are you pursuing this summer? Chloe and I are learning how to rock climb! Chloe has some stellar balance but isn’t so sure about doggy heights! We will see how she can join in on climbing adventures in time to come! In the meantime; keep on chasing those goals! I hope you all have happy trails and happy tails ♡

Barking Embarkers