June 23rd is National Take Your Dog to Work Day, an annual event that encourages businesses to allow their employees to bring their dogs to work with them. This annual event began over 20 years ago to help promote responsible pet ownership and recognize the positive impact dogs can have on people and businesses. Scientific research indicates that having dogs in the workplace can help employees to destress as stroking a dog’s fur lowers blood pressure.
Benefits of dogs in the workplace
- Makes the office a more enjoyable place to work
- Helps reduce stress and anxiety at work
- Increases happiness and improves mental health in the workplace
- Helps employees be more productive and creative
- Reduces absenteeism
- Provides company for employees that feel isolated
- A conversation starter for building relationships
When bringing your dog to the workplace, there are various things that need to be considered to ensure it is a positive experience for everyone involved. Speak with your employer and ask about their policy and any requirements for bringing pets to work.
Important things to consider:
- Socialisation: your dog should be social with people and other dogs before bringing them into work
- Toilet training: your dog should be toilet trained and you should be prepared to clean up any accidents
- Obedience: your dog should be well behaved and able to stay calm and settled all day without disrupting employees
- Health: your dog should be healthy and without injuries or infection
- Allergies: make sure no one at your workplace is allergic to dogs
- Microchip: your dog should be microchipped and their details current
- Parasite prevention: your dog should be up to date with parasite prevention and vaccinations
Our top tips for bringing your dog to work:
- Safety check: conduct an assessment of the office area to ensure there are no safety hazards
- Supplies: bring a day pack for your dog that includes food and water, bowls, treats, toys, a bed and clean up supplies
- Water: ensure they always have access to fresh water
- Exercise: take your dog for a morning walk before work to burn energy and make them more likely to be calmer at work
- Supervise: ensure your dog is supervised at all times at the workplace
- Bed: set up their bed next to your desk to provide them with a comfortable place to rest
- Toys: provide a range of stimulating and enriching toys to keep your dog entertained
- Treats: bring treats to reward your dog for calm behaviour
- Breaks: take your dog out for regular toilet and exercise breaks
- Clean up: clean up any mess your dog makes immediately to ensure you don’t disrupt the workplace
Workplaces in Australia are going beyond Bring Your Dog to Work Day and adopting ongoing pet-friendly policies in the workplace. Pet-friendly workplaces have many benefits for both humans and animals, especially in the transition back to the office after COVID-19. It is important that pet owners take the steps necessary to make bringing their pet to work a positive experience for everyone.
