Dogs in the Workplace

Do you take your dog to work with you? Would you be happier if you did?

According to an article published at CBS.com, you might be. One out of every five companies in the U.S. allows dogs in the workplace. This includes small local shops where the pet greets customers or hangs out behind the counter, as well as larger businesses where pets lounge in cubicles or follow their owners through showrooms. The idea is that the dogs in the workplace help reduce stress so that employees can work longer and more efficiently. Surveys by the American Humane Association and Pet Products Manufacturers Association have reported fewer days of missed work, higher employee moral and camaraderie, and even increased sales volume in companies that allow dogs in the workplace.

Other companies that aren't quite ready to allow dogs in the workplace at all times may sponsor a "Take Your Dog to Work Day." Pet Sitters International started Take Your Dog to Work Day back in 1999, and now thousands of businesses participate each year. Take Your Dog to Work Day is scheduled for the last Friday of June.

In order to have dogs in the workplace, there are quite a few standards that must be met, for both the dogs and the workplace. First, the dogs must be vaccinated, well-socialized and non-aggressive. Housetrained is probably a good idea as well: some companies have a three-strike rule when it comes to office accidents. The workplace must be free of dangerous chemicals or machinery that could cause harm to curious pets. Your workload must also be structured in a way that allows for a few short walk breaks, and won't be terribly disturbed by the occasional bark. If there are employees with pet allergies, a few pet-free zones may need to be designated in the workplace. Companies involved with food preparation or that require sterile areas may not be a good candidate for dogs in the workplace.

Here are ten large companies that allow dogs in the workplace:
*PetSmart
*Google
*Banfield, the Pet Hospital
*Diversified Technical Solutions
*Sur La Table
*Amazon.com
*Nature Conservancy
*Dartmouth College
*ValueOptions
*Roy Talman & Associates

Maybe you should talk to your supervisor about bringing dogs in the workplace? Start a petition and circulate it amongst your co-workers with a list of all the benefits dogs in the workplace can have for employee productivity. It's a win-win situation for both dogs and working pet parents.

Sources:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/20/eveningnews/main2027546.shtml
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_PetsAtWork.php
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/general/workplace/benefits.shtml
http://www.takeyourdog.com/index.php