Does your pooch give you sad puppy eyes when it’s time to head out to work? Are they overjoyed when you arrive back home? What if you could spend the whole day with them and still get your day-to-day work responsibilities accomplished? Many are doing just that.
When working late at the office and rushing to meet a deadline, some pet owners no longer have to worry about getting home to feed their dog as it becomes more and more common for pets to be welcome in the workplace.
Valerie Dailey, a Realtor at Showcase Properties, has been bringing her black Labrador retriever, Bella, to the office for about five years.
“She comes in when I’m going to be in the office for most of the day… I started bringing her in because I didn’t like leaving her at home in the dog kennel,” says Dailey.
Animal and human health specialists agree that a pet-friendly workplace can be beneficial, both to the humans and the animals.
John Somers, APRN, a family care specialist with Ocala Health, asserts that owning pets in general can help with a variety of diseases, including, but not limited to, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, as they encourage their owners to be more active.
Dailey believes that walking her dog at the office gives her a much-needed break from sitting at her desk. Her fellow office mates tend to appreciate the occasional distraction Bella can provide as well.
“She goes to all the offices and gets treats from everyone. She’s even gotten in the habit of bringing her toys in to get a treat,” says Dailey.
“Bringing your pet [to the workplace] is a great icebreaker and networking opportunity,” says Samantha Schwab, a resident pet expert at Chewy.com. “It’s likely you’ll meet co-workers you’ve never talked to before if you have a cute dog by your side.”
Having a pet in the workplace also has the added benefit of improving both the pet owner’s and the pet’s mood.
“Having their pet around can be comforting to pet parents, especially during a stressful day at work… and since there’s so much going on in an office, your pet can enjoy the mental stimulation that they wouldn’t get if they were home alone.”
Schwab does want to remind pet owners that not all pets will feel comfortable in the workplace, so don’t force your grumpy cat or dog to hang out at the office when they would rather be lounging at home in the peace and quiet!
