Clinic Receptionist Says They Feel Like a ‘Petsitter’ for Boss’s Stinky Dog
A clinic employee is speaking out after being tasked with caring for their boss’s dog, describing the situation as a frustrating imposition. The employee shared their experience on Reddit’s “Am I The A——” forum, revealing the added responsibilities beyond their role as an administrator and front desk receptionist.
The employee stated that they are required to care for their boss’s small dog. This includes walking the animal “several times a day” and overseeing the dog while it rests in its crate near the reception desk.
According to the post, failure to walk the dog correctly can lead to messes in patient treatment rooms. Adding to the problem, the employee claims the dog “often either smells bad or has gas,” which makes their job difficult. They explained that because they are often on the phone discussing sensitive patient information, they have to keep their “door and window” shut, leaving them “trapped in the smell.”
“That dog is the world to my boss so I know that if I bring it up, she will be [emotionally] reactive, and we don’t have any real HR,” the employee wrote.
They also mentioned the dog is supposedly a service animal, acting as a “therapy dog” for patients. However, the employee feels the dog is hardly trained, and rarely utilized for such purposes, making them feel like a “petsitter” for their boss.
The employee questioned whether it would be wrong to request the dog’s crate be moved to their boss’s office, especially given its visibility to patients. “[My boss] has her own office, so I don’t understand why the crate has to be in mine, especially since it’s in sight for patients to see,” they said. They added, “… I know it’s not my company, but that dog [reeks] something fierce. I don’t get why her pet has to be my responsibility.”
In response, others suggested they seek alternative employment, stating that it was unlikely the situation would improve. Another suggested speaking to a “senior clinician” or requesting the crate be moved for health reasons, including the dog’s smell.
One commenter wrote, “Try to ask her to put the crate in her office by saying that you’ve had a few complaints about the smell and patients have expressed their concerns about the sanitation and hygiene issues associated with a dog in the office.”
