Fluffy Truckers: Bringing Pets Along On The Road
Pets are like family – they bring us joy, comfort, and unconditional love. No matter where you are, their loving companionship is always appreciated, but this is especially true for truckers who spend long periods of time on the road.
Whether it’s a dog or a cat, research shows that about 40% of truck drivers take their four-legged friends with them on the job. Not only is it convenient for the driver when it comes to caring for their pet, but bringing them along for the ride offers many crucial health benefits too.
The Benefits of Pets On The Road
Pets don’t just offer companionship on the road, but they offer some amazing benefits to a truck driver’s overall health.
Life on the road, especially if a driver is spending weeks or months out there, can be pretty isolating – leading to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and even depression.
Studies have shown that pet owners have a lower risk for depression and experience feelings of sadness less often compared to individuals without pets. Pets don’t only offer support, but interaction, which can help to combat loneliness.
The trucking industry can be a stressful one, with drivers running into severe weather, accidents, and other delays, all while having to meet strict deadlines to get freight delivered on time – did we mention, they’re dealing with this all by themselves? This is why having a pet on the road can help to alleviate stress.
The National Institute of Health found that interacting with animals decreases stress hormones and lowers blood pressure, while elevating levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Fluffy companions don’t just benefit mental health, but they also highly benefit physical health too. Truck driving is a very sedentary profession, with not a lot of opportunity for physical exercise, which is a very important part of maintaining overall health.
Taking care of a pet requires stops to let them out for a bathroom break or take a walk, which gives a driver more of an opportunity to also get their physical activity in as well.
Spending long periods of time on the road, it’s easy for drivers to lose sight of a routine because some days may be longer than others and the living conditions in a truck cabin may not be conducive or ideal for a healthy routine.
However, most pets require a routine of going to the bathroom, eating, and walking at the same time every day. A trucker can then create their own routine along their pet’s.
For instance, a truck driver needs to walk their dog everyday, so they get their exercise in during that time. Before they know it, they have a routine of going for a walk everyday without trying – improving both their physical and mental health in the long run.
How To Make Your Own Pet A Fluffy Trucker
Are you a truck driver and want to take your pet on the road with you next time?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) has no official ruling on pets in trucks. Therefore, it’s completely up to the trucking company you work for whether pets are allowed or not.
Some companies have weight and breed restrictions and require proof of vaccination records. If traveling across state lines, state regulations may require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), otherwise known as a health certificate to ensure your animal is healthy enough for travel.
In the end, bringing a pet along for the ride can transform the life of a truck driver in ways that go way beyond simple companionship. For truckers coming back to their dog greeting them after unloading freight or cuddling up to their kitten after a long drive can make all the difference.
Not only do they provide therapeutic benefits for the long stretches of solitude that come with being on the road, but they can improve physical health too. With just a bit of planning and care, truckers can easily bring their loving animal along for the journey. After all, every great road trip needs a companion!
