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Hank chills in the Campaigns section at The HSUS. ©The HSUS |
by Samantha Harding
Ever wonder if your dog will manage when you have to stay late at work to meet a pressing deadline? Forget those worries this Friday, June 26 when workers across the U.S. will bring their canine companions to the office on Take Your Dog to Work Day.
This annual event encourages companies, both large and small, to become dog friendly by highlighting the values of pets in the workplace. Since 2007, every day has been Take Your Dog to Work Day at The Humane Society of the United States. Since The HSUS enacted a dog-friendly policy, the lives of many employees and their pooches have greatly improved.
Canine Colleagues
"Katie thoroughly enjoys coming to the office every day," said Dawn Lauer, outreach coordinator for the Companion Animals section. "At the first sight of my coworkers, her tail begins to wag so hard that her whole body wiggles with excitement."
Given the nature of The HSUS’ work, Lauer said she and her colleagues can feel stressed when confronting the many animal cruelty issues that The HSUS works on every day. "The ability to step away for a moment and give Katie a belly-rub can really help to alleviate the stress and provide us with renewed inspiration to continue our work of protecting animals," she said.
Having dogs in the office is, indeed, a morale booster, says The HSUS’ Jennifer Fearing, chief economist and co-author of "Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces." (buy the book») Fearing came from a dog-friendly workplace and made a detailed case for moving in that direction when she came to The HSUS.
How To Be
Dog-Friendly At Work |
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1. Get buy-in from the top
2. Seek input from everyone on your team
3. Make it clear that people (not dogs) come first
4. Establish clear rules and enforce them consistently
5. Design rules to minimize distractions and maximize respect
6. Establish a good enforcement or policymaking process |
“Our canine companions can make excellent colleagues, even at big companies,” suggests Fearing. “In the midst of tough times, employers can improve morale and support the human-animal bond by relying on Dogs at Work to develop and implement a workable—and free—program that works for everyone.”
Good for Business
Offering a dog-friendly work place is particularly germane to the current economic situation. A recent Associated Press poll found that in the past year, 27 percent of pet owners have seriously considered giving up their pet.
Animal shelters across the country report increased relinquishments by people facing economic challenges Allowing employees to bring their dogs to work fosters the human-animal bond and provides an incentive to those interested in adopting dogs.
"With some foresight, planning and attention to the concerns of those who may be less excited about having dogs around, even large companies can welcome dogs into the workplace while maintaining a professional—if more engaging—culture," Fearing said.
In conjunction with Take your Dog to Work Day, offices are encouraged to raise awareness for their community humane organizations. Holding a fundraiser or advertising adoptable animals are some of the ways companies can support their local shelter or animal control agency.
