The Dog Journal

Dogs at the Workplace

More and more companies are allowing employees to bring their dogs to work, as explained in this article by the Baltimore Sun:

Though most companies still forbiddogs, on the nation’s 13th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day, which takes place Friday, officials say the workplace is warming toward pets. According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, about one in five companies allows pets. And 3 percent of dog owners have brought theirs to work up to a couple of dozen times.

And it’s not just mom-and-pop gift shops withcats in the window.

Dogs are now welcome at mega-corporations including Amazon and Google. Lobbyists in California only wish they could hit as many high-level shindigs as Gov. Jerry Brown’s corgi. Even at North Carolina’s Replacements Ltd., the nation’s largest vendor of china and crystal, pets accompany the workers who tend to the fragile merchandise.

The growing allure of the office dog can be attributed to money, suspects Jennifer Fearing, a former economist for The Humane Society of the United States and co-author of a book about creating a dog-friendly workplace. It’s an inexpensive perk that goes a long way with the workforce.

Don’t forget that tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work Day!  If you participate, take pictures!  Unfortunately I’m going to leave my dog at home, but I’ll make up for it by playing with him this weekend. Click here for the full story and a video.

Take Your Dog to Work Day

Don’t forget that this coming Friday, June 24th is “Take Your Dog To Work Day!”  Takeyourdog.com has this explanation:

First celebrated in 1999, Pet Sitters International’s Take Your Dog To Work Day® was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging their employers to support TYDTWDay by opening their workplace to employees’ four-legged friends on this one special day.

This article from the Guardian says that taking your dog to work has benefits too:

A review of research on domestic dogs and human health, published in 2007 in the British Journal of Health Psychology, suggested that pet owners tend to be healthier. The review found evidence to suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and are less likely to have minor and serious health problems.

Earlier this year digital online marketing agency the Bio Agency conducted a survey of 3,000 office workers. Of the people canvassed, 16% had an office pet with the top 10 being fish, dogs, cats, tortoises, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, geckos, snakes and tarantulas. As many as 55% of those canvassed admitted they would feel more motivated if they did have a pet in the office.

“Pets at work can help employees to relax, reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure, which can decrease absenteeism and improve staff morale,” confirms Terri Bodell, a consultant clinical psychotherapist and stress expert. “Not only that, but employees that take a break to walk their dog seem to return to work in a more productive and positive frame of mind.”

I’m not sure if my employer will allow me to bring my dog, but hopefully yours will!  I wish I could have my dog with me all day.  Mark your calendars now!