naturalpet
why more offices
are going
to the dogs
pets can reduce stress
in the workplace
by stephen Humphries
p
eriodic “Take Your Dog to Work” days may remain special events for many
The canine companions also offer
workers, yet pet-friendly workplaces are on the rise. They’re part of a broad-
a constructive form of stress release.
er shift, as younger generations reject formal office culture in favor of more
“I’ll sit and play with the dogs for a few
fun and fulfilling workplaces. But wider adoption of the benefit likely will depend
minutes after a hard meeting,” grins Jess
on how companies handle issues relating to the comfort levels of other workers.
Frykholm, a Sermo employee.
“There are more companies that are shifting toward offering dog-friendly
Tech firms like Sermo were among
work policies because they can use that to attract employees,” says Cameron Woo,
the first to turn office cubicles into ken-
publisher of Bark magazine. According to the Society of Human Resource Man-
nels. These companies need to inno-
agement’s (SHRM) 2007 Benefits Survey, 6 percent of respondents allow employ-
vate, but employees can’t be creative if
ees to bring pets to work, up from 4 percent the previous year. A new survey of
they’re unhappy at work.
1,000 adults by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association found that
For the most part, large, pet-friend-
17 percent are permitted to bring pets to work.
ly companies such as Google, Amazon,
Advocates believe the practice benefits both employers and employees. Peo-
and Ben & Jerry’s aren’t the norm. The
ple working long days can bring an element of their home life into the workplace,
SHRM survey found that small com-
while those who work regular hours needn’t get antsy about dashing home to walk
panies were more likely to offer the
the dog. Another plus: not having to pay for a dog-sitter.
benefit (11 percent), than medium com-
But the biggest gains may be the effect on the work environment. At web
panies (6 percent), or large companies
company Sermo, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the philosophy is that the office
(4 percent). Implementing procedures
animals—which include a rabbit and
may simply be too daunting for big
iguana—encourage employees to get to
businesses, and there’s always concern
know each other as individuals.
that one of the animals will lash out at
“We try to break down barriers
an employee, visitor or client.
between people,” says Alexandra La-
It’s possible that an employer could
Master, the company’s vice president of
be held liable for an attack, just as a
talent. “So, when you come into con-
landlord can be held responsible if he
flict with each other, you resolve that in
knew a dog was dangerous and didn’t
a better way and you’re more honest,
do anything about it, says Juris Doctor,
in a direct manner. [Having] dogs at
Mary Randolph, author of Every Dog’s
work is just another way of being more
Legal Guide. But Randolph says she’s
genuine and who you are, at work.”
unaware of any trials over an attack in
Advocates believe that pet-friendly policies benefit both
employers and employees. People working long days can
bring an element of their home life into the workplace, while
those who work regular hours needn’t get antsy about
dashing home to walk the dog.

Westchester/Putnam Counties
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