Dogs in the Workplace

Would you love to take your dog to work with you? Scientists are studying the benefits to our mental and physical health from having dogs or other pets in the workplace. A 2021 study found that having dogs in the workplace “has a positive influence on individual and collective well-being of organizational members in an office environment.” (Wagnar & Pina e Cunha 2021). While this seems promising, the same study found that these benefits only occur if the work environment is conducive to pets; including flexible hours, autonomy, and open communication. 

There are various types of working dogs already paving the way for our workplace buddies, such as service dogs, visitation dogs, therapy dogs, police/military dogs, sporting dogs, and agricultural dogs. There is also a lot of work going into allowing well behaved dogs in the workplace. “Well behaved” can mean a lot of different things to pet parents. In general, dogs must be obedient, well-socialized, have no bite/bark history, be microchipped, and covered under the owners insurance policy. 

Before you take your furry family member with you to your workplace, here are some factors to consider.

Health

Having our cuddly companions at work provides additional social support, which is associated with lower levels of depression and better job performance. Pets are non-judgmental and easy to talk to, making them more effective than a spouse or close friends. Working with others who also love their pets will bring people together and can boost overall work morale. Having dogs at work will likely bring you more peace and calm, and help you to feel better.

Safety

Unfortunately, our furry friends' presence may cause allergies or animal-borne diseases. 3 in 10 people are allergic to animals with fur, so having a full discussion with your co-workers will help ensure everyone is healthy and happy. There’s a possibility for potential bites or tripping hazards. Keeping your dog under control and secured with a leash at all times can prevent injuries or accidents. It’s also important for animals to have access to water to stay hydrated. Ensuring a place to potty is necessary and recommended for frequent breaks during long hours. If you tend to work long hours away from your desk, it may not be possible to take your dog with you, since they’ll be left unsupervised.

Coworkers

It’s important to consider others' fears and phobias of cuddly canines. Every workplace should establish policies and adopt dog-friendly procedures. This includes making sure your employer carries the proper insurance and break policies to accommodate pets. To help employers/employees feel more at ease with pets present, offer a test week, make sure your dog is current on vaccinations, offer to sign a responsibility waiver, and guarantee no fleas! As always, check your local laws for anything that may prohibit bringing your pet into the workplace.  

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to bring your dog to the office depends on a number of different factors. It’s important to weigh every pro and con before you show up with your canine companion in tow. Everyone benefits when lovable doggies get invited to work. General interest in dog friendly workplaces peaks recruitment, sense of loyalty reaches an all time high, and less stress equals less absenteeism. Employers are beginning to recognize the massive benefits of pets in the workplace! The official “Take your dog to work day” is tomorrow, June 24, 2022. Let’s all work together to ensure a productive workday for our wonderful wigglebutts.