Originally published in Pet Partners Newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 1, 1997

by Terry Albert

As Marilyn Cruz enters the hospital room with her silkie chicken Mora, she announces, "Today we're serving chicken in a basket, but no fries!" Even the most reluctant patient responds to Marilyn and her unique animal teammate. We'd like to tell you about some of the challenges of visiting with small animals and how your fellow Pet Partners deal with them.

Other Pet Partners in Cruz's group bring spaniels that are also hunting dogs. Cruz says if the dogs were to hear a gunshot they would go for the bird, but in this context they are fine with the chicken. Mora just pecks them lightly on the nose to tell them to leave her alone. Betsy Daniels has a rabbit, Beatrix Potter, who is a resident at the preschool where Betsy also brings her Irish wolfhound to visit. When the wolfhound is there, the rabbit stays in her cage and Daniels does not allow them to interact. The wolfhound competes in lure coursing, and the rabbit would be viewed as prey by the dog. If a dog or cat is not socialized to other species, the safest action would be to keep your small animal in its carrier or in another room. Nancy Johnson, a Team Evaluator for the Pet Partners program, never takes her Guinea pig, Rocky, into a room with a dog she doesn't know.

Remember that small dogs are small animals too. A tiny dog does not react to situations the way a large dog will. They too can be considered prey by larger dogs. Toy breeds can be frightened by broad gestures and loud voices. They experience stress like a Guinea pig or cat would when confronted by people looming over them in an intimidating way.

Small animals need to feel secure when they are being handled. Johnson never allows anyone to hold her rabbit or Guinea pig while they are standing, because the animal might panic, start to kick and be dropped . The animals feel more secure on a person's lap. She always uses a pet bed or towel underneath the animal to reduce the risk of scratches. She handles the animals all over their bodies from the time they are small babies and acclimates them to lying on their back and having their tummy rubbed. Rocky also enjoys snuggling under a person's chin as they hold him. Rocky has a cylinder that he rides in inside his carrier, which makes him feel more secure. Johnson also puts a towel in with him.

Small animals need the same preparation as larger animals before going on visits. Marilyn Cruz bathes Mora the chicken and blow-dries her while Mora sits on a towel on a table. Just like a cat or dog, Mora's toenails are trimmed to reduce the risk of scratches. Cruz feeds her only corn the day before so Mora's stools are harder and easier to clean up if she relieves herself. Cruz carries paper towels and disinfectant with her on visits.

Betsy Daniels and Barbara Sawyer work together at a preschool where they also volunteer as Pet Partners. Beatrix Potter the rabbit and Valerie the Guinea pig are resident pets at the school, and never leave, so they are not exposed to disease and other animals. Daniels explains that rabies is prevalent in Connecticut, so the animals are not allowed to be housed outside. (A rabies vaccine is not available.) If the animals are not born and raised indoors, they must be quarantined before they can be brought into a facility.

To acclimate the 2 animals to handling, they were handled a lot at home before they came to the school. Then, the older children (ages 4-5) in the after-school program handled the rabbit and Guinea pig for several weeks before the preschoolers were allowed to handle them. Children help in the care of the animals, through Sawyer and Daniels supervise and volunteer their own time for care also. The animals have human names so the kids will view them as an individual rather than a thing or possession. The children are very protective of their classroom pets, and quick to remind adults about proper care and handling.

The Guinea pig is kept in a glass aquarium so that children won't poke their fingers in at her. The children pet her with the back of their hands, palms up, so they won't accidentally pinch her. The rabbit is mainly with the older children (ages 4-5), and lives in a wire cage on wheels that goes from classroom to classroom, where she is let out to interact with the kids during the day. Cedar shavings and a litter box help prevent odors. There is always an adult present during any interaction between animals and children. Their school has children with special needs incorporated into the classrooms, and the animals are included in speech and physical therapy as well as animal-assisted activities (AAA).

Although in-residence pets are not the focus of this article, Daniels points out the program provides tremendous benefits for children who might not otherwise have pets. Small animals like birds, rabbits and Guinea pigs are often found in classrooms. The teams featured here are registered Pet Partners and therefore covered under Delta's insurance plan during volunteer hours. An in-residence pet requires the commitment of everyone in the school and additional volunteer time on the part of the paid staff to care for the animals on weekends and vacations.

Although we have only talked about Guinea pigs, rabbits and birds here, we hope you will be able to incorporate some of these tips when visiting with your own small animals.