{"id":2419,"date":"2013-06-19T20:00:09","date_gmt":"2013-06-19T20:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.animalhealthfoundation.net\/blog\/?p=2419"},"modified":"2013-06-19T20:00:22","modified_gmt":"2013-06-19T20:00:22","slug":"friday-june-21-is-take-your-dog-to-work-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.animalhealthfoundation.org\/blog\/2013\/06\/friday-june-21-is-take-your-dog-to-work-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday, June 21 is Take Your Dog to Work day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Under<\/a>Companies see benefits when furry friends visit the office
\n<\/b>Friday marks the 15th annual celebration of Take Your Dog to Work Day. Although not all companies participate and employers are advised to ensure staff concerns such as allergies are addressed, studies show having pets in the workplace can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and improve collaboration and trust, and employers say they think having an animal around helps customers and businesses connect<\/em><\/strong>. The Oregonian (Portland)<\/a> (6\/14)<\/p>\n

June 21 is the 15th annual \u201cTake Your Dog to Work Day<\/a>,\u201d created by Pet Sitters International<\/a> to introduce employees to the benefits of dog ownership and promote adoptions from local shelters and rescue groups.<\/p>\n

Companies that want to include other species can take part in \u201cTake Your Pet to Work Week\u201d June 17-21.<\/p>\n

Even in pooch-friendly Portland, not every company allows pets in the workplace every day. Some find that allowing their employees to take their pets to the office during the annual \u201choliday\u201d decreases stress, boosts morale and may even be good for business.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people do like dogs, whether they have one or not,\u201d says Lori Venneberg, human resources operations manager for Beaverton-based Digimarc Corporation<\/a>. \u201cIt just improves mood, cuts the tension, and it doesn\u2019t necessarily interfere with productivity. In fact, it kind of reduces stress level.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recent research backs her up. A 2012 Virginia Commonwealth University<\/a> study found that having dogs at work reduced levels of cortisol, the hormone released in response to stress. Another study by researchers at Central Michigan University<\/a> revealed that the presence of dogs established a sense of employee collaboration and trust.<\/p>\n

Digimarc participated in Take Your Dog to Work Day for the first time last year. Venneberg, who worked previously in a dog-friendly office, had heard about the day and thought it would be fun to implement at her current company.<\/p>\n

The management did some homework first by identifying potential issues, such as allergies or a fear of dogs, and determined that employees with those concerns could choose to work from home that day.<\/p>\n

The participants signed a liability waiver and agreed to bring dogs that were flea-free and current on vaccinations.<\/p>\n

All employees had the chance to interact with the dogs during an ice-cream social, and the dog owners received a \u201cdoggie bag\u201d filled with paw towels and poop bags and treats.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Buster participates in Take Your Dog to Work Day at Digimarc Corporation.Lori Venneberg<\/div>\n

\u201cWe had no accidents, nobody got in fight, it all went off very smoothly and was a very big hit,\u201d says Venneberg, who brought her own dog, Buster.<\/p>\n

The day went so well last year that the company is offering it again this year.<\/p>\n

At Honda\u2019s Northwest Training Center in Northeast Portland, technical training coordinator Monte Wolverton looks forward to bringing his Yorkie, Teddy, again to work this year.<\/p>\n

Last year on Take Your Dog to Work Day, Wolverton found that Teddy served as a conversation starter during a training session with students from dealerships around the Northwest.<\/p>\n

Wolverton also found that the dog\u2019s presence reminded him to take necessary breaks.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes, you get so focused on your job, but the dog has to take a break outside once in awhile,\u201d he points out, \u201cso it\u2019s kind of a good refocus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even at a cat shelter, a dog\u2019s presence can be welcome.<\/p>\n

Cat Adoption Team<\/a> in Sherwood doesn\u2019t participate in Take Your Dog to Work Day, but executive director Karen Green does bring her newly adopted yellow Lab, Sunny, in from time to time, which helps remind her to take breaks and get some fresh air.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re considering creating a pets-in-the-workplace policy,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

She points out that dogs could actually benefit shelter staff by helping to socialize the cats with canines and determining which cats like dogs, providing helpful knowledge for potential adopters.<\/p>\n

Before implementing such a policy, Green says, it\u2019s important to ask staff for input and make sure all concerns are addressed. Not all pets are suitable for the workplace, and vice-versa.<\/p>\n

Those companies that do allow pets, either on a part-time or permanent basis, say that having animals around benefits not only employees but also their business.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s wise from a business aspect,\u201d says Bethany Sutherland, a commercial account manager at Hecht & Hecht Insurance Agency Inc.<\/a>, where company president Evelyn Hecht brings her dog regularly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt provides common ground for a lot of our clients, because a lot of our clients are dog owners,\u201d Sutherland points out. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice ice-breaker, and it kind of humanizes us, because it shows that we\u2019re people, and we have lives outside of what we do for a living.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hecht & Hecht will participate in the \u201choliday\u201d for the first time this year, and Sutherland is excited about the chance to spend her work day with her 7-month-old golden retriever, Ruby.<\/p>\n

Dogs aren\u2019t the only animals that can connect with clients, however.<\/p>\n

Every day is ‘take your pet to work day’ for Paul McGill and Baxter at PondCrafters and YardBirds in Southeast Portland. Paul McGill<\/div>\n

Paul McGill, owner of PondCrafters & YardBirds<\/a> in Southeast Portland, says his two shop cats are very popular with customers and help his store to stand out.<\/p>\n

McGill initially adopted Baxter, a gray tabby, as an inexpensive alternative to exterminating the mice that were getting into his fish food. When Baxter got lonely, he adopted Stella, and the two felines became fast friends. Now, McGill can\u2019t imagine working without them. Neither, it seems, can his customers.<\/p>\n

McGill notes that his return clients typically ask about the cats, tell him what they need and then ask how he\u2019s doing \u2013 in that order.<\/p>\n

He recommends any retail business with the potential to be pet-friendly to consider cats.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy customers absolutely love the fact that we have cats in the store,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

Tips to make sure Take Your Dog to Work Day goes smoothly:<\/b><\/p>\n