Horse nurse or human nurse. Which profession is more beautiful and which is more important? Or what are the differences in these professions? Who is who? And why do people prefer animals to people?
I didn't research it then. Maybe it's true and maybe not. I was told this by a carer on a course called the role of the carer about four years ago. It is said that before she became a carer in a home of social services for people with physical and mental disabilities, she was a horse carer. Attention, not a veterinarian. She was actually doing what she is doing now. Only then did she care for animals and now for people.
Curiosity did not allow me not to ask uncle "Google" how it is with the salary. The first time and then the second time, I found the following ads:
"To take care of the horses at our stud farm, we are looking for a reliable and careful nurse who enjoys working with horses. We require: experience with horses, reliability and diligence in the performance of work. Job description: care of horses and leading horses, possibly lunging. We offer very good financial compensation, possibly accommodation. Full or part-time according to agreement. If you are interested in independent and varied work, send resumes” . Advertisement from our Czech brothers.
And the other one was from Slovakia: *"horse riding with children and adults, pony riding with children, basic care of horses, feeding horses, cleaning stalls. A workplace suitable even for a young graduate, working conditions from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. One-shift working hours, basic education is enough, but it can also go up to a second-level university degree. Permanent employment. Length of experience at least 6 months. General skills: communication (dealing with people), the ability to express oneself, independence, physical fitness. Adequate financial compensation, if necessary, excellent catering, bonuses for the family in the form of free admission to attractions and a children's playground.
Horse nurse or human nurse. Which profession is more beautiful and which is more important? Or what are the differences in these professions? Who is who?
The horse is one of the beautiful animals. We have respect for him. The horse belongs to God's creation, but man is the crown of creation. Even when he is sick, disabled, or old. He is made in the image of God. Is a person today really the crown of creation, or a forgotten living object who, when he cannot take care of himself, then has a problem living his every day with dignity? A few years ago, I exchanged the Bratislava heat for a week's stay with my parents. I will never forget the very strong emotions I experienced during this wonderful summer. My first morning belongs to the most beautiful memories. I was woken up by a commotion in the yard and that's how I knew that my parents and the sister who lived with them were already awake. I went downstairs in my pajamas and found everyone drinking coffee. I left the door open because I wanted to enjoy the birds singing, the sun and the village air. Shortly after, my mother touched me and said: "look outside". Peja comes to say good morning"
"What, who?", I asked. Our Peja. And at that moment I noticed her. A beautiful foal that stuck its head in the door and neighed beautifully. It was a beautiful sight, but also a feeling. The foal's eyes had something gentle, kind in them. Thanks to Peja, the whole week was a beautiful holiday for me. I saw that there is a lot of work around her, but also that my father and brother do it with love. Even if they were "only draft horses" into the forest. Why did I remember that? Two weeks ago I was back home in the east. This time I lectured to upper and middle management, i.e. directors, head nurses and social workers who work in social service facilities. And again, it was a beautiful warm early evening when my friend "the former mayoress" called me saying she wanted to take me to good people. I wasn't dressed appropriately and to tell the truth, I didn't even have plans to go anywhere after the lecture day, but since I knew her, I immediately agreed. I knew he wasn't lying or exaggerating. I got into the car and let myself be driven until we stopped in the middle of the farm. When I got out, I felt and saw paradise on earth. Horses were grazing in the area, which immediately came to the fence and I was able to touch them. Opposite stood a beautiful stone and wooden house, which I dreamed about and still dream about. And the beautiful early evening did not end, I could really talk and drink herbal tea with good people.
Why am I talking about this? Because sometimes such a beautiful day or week is enough for me to keep my faith in the goodness of man and to have hope that man is truly the crown of creation and deserves a dignified life. As long as there are still good people, as long as there are still enough nannies with good hearts who will do really difficult, often odorless, ungrateful work for such low salaries and will look with love at an old, gloomy, sometimes even aggressive senior, or a young person or a child with autism or mental retardation, then I will be able to get dressed again in the morning and go to a lecture, or give advice to colleagues who take care of such people.
Today we have a great shortage of caregivers. You will find a lot of advertisements. Just as there is a shortage of nurses in hospitals, social service facilities are also having trouble finding, or keeping, good caregivers for the salaries and working conditions. If something does not change in the social system of care, then a situation will arise that man exchanges man for animal.
Because it is mute, kind and perhaps more grateful than a human. If that happens, I will no longer be happy to get up for work because I will start to get really scared. Fear that when my loved ones need care, I won't find a good babysitter. Actually, I can't find any. And maybe one day I'll be the one who needs a babysitter. And then I will have to say the words from the Bible: "Lord, I have no man". If that happens, then I won't want to be here anymore, because I will lose the feeling of gratitude for the new morning and the feeling of joy to be alive.
In conclusion, I want to appeal to you to also visit uncle "Google" and read the advertisements. I think you will see the difference that I also noticed when I compared the ads for a horse nurse and a human nurse.
Author: PhDr. Mária Kovaľová, PhD. MHA
The author is a theologian with a focus on diaconal social work and a master's degree in public health with a focus on controlled documentation and risk management. Since 1991, she has been engaged in nursing care with a focus on seniors. She is a consultant and auditor of quality in social services. Since 2014, she has been the president of the Association of Professional Workers in Social Services and co-founder of OZ Planeta malého přinca. www.aopss.sk