Today's nationwide Take Your Dog to Work Day is gaining in popularity with dogs popping up in offices all over. Our offices are filled with dogs, as you can imagine.
Some are puppies that staff members are raising, others are breeders that staff are hosting and some are just up in the administration building for a break from the kennel. Others are our personal dogs or working guide dogs for our visually impaired team members.
It is extremely important that our puppies-in-training get exposure to office environments because they will likely be accompanying their handlers to work once they are matched as guides. During their training they learn to navigate through buildings, ride elevators and learn the importance of settling down when there is work to be done.
While our dogs are always welcome at work, we are not the only dog-friendly workplace. Thousands of employers across the nation are noting the benefits of having Fido around, even big names like Google, Inc. and Amazon.com.
Those companies cite employee satisfaction as one of the reasons they are dog-friendly, considering it as a benefit just like health insurance. I can attest to the fact that it was one of my favorite perks when I first started at Southeastern Guide Dogs – now we always have a dog in our office.
Studies have shown that the mere act of petting a dog can lower blood pressure and decrease stress. Dogs in the workplace also foster interaction between workers, they can provide comic relief, and since they have to be walked during the day, it allows for a moment out in the fresh air for the employee. Sounds like a win-win to us!
Is your office dog-friendly? Do you have your dog with you for Take Your Dog to Work Day? Tell us about it in the comments below.
