# Doggy respite care?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [November 21, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387 "2010-11-21T00:48:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387/1 "2010-11-21T00:48:33Z")

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A friend of mine has a dog with medical issues. The dog needs meds twice a day on a pretty exact timetable. Even with the meds, the dog has symptoms that require a lot of cleanup. Good dog otherwise, but can’t skip his meds. My friend is dealing with this OK, but would like a break - even for a day or two. I don’t live near enough to help, and I’m canine impaired.

I’ve heard of respite care for special needs kids. Does anyone know of organizations that do respite care for dogs? She’s in northern Virginia, but if you can suggest any organizations in the US I can contact them and see if they know anyone in our area.

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![kathmandu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kathmandu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kathmandu)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387/2 "2010-11-21T00:51:34Z")

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I’ve never heard of doggy respite care, but most cities have doggy day cares, which will administer medication. There are also professional dog sitters who will come to your home on a regular schedule to feed and/or administer medication.

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**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387/3 "2010-11-21T01:38:12Z")

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Yeah, I think the best bet would be to call some doggy daycares. They probably can deal with this sort of thing. If it’s the sort of place that allows dogs to run around and play it might be nice for the dog to get away to play for a while.

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**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387/4 "2010-11-21T01:49:51Z")

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Petsitter who can stop by might be cheaper than a daycare.

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**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\
**Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doggy-respite-care/561387/5 "2010-11-21T01:51:46Z")

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A good petsitter is probably the way to go. Ask at vet clinics, groomers, kennels for recommendations.