Dogs have been man’s best friend far back into pre-history when they became domesticated by choosing to live and work alongside mankind. From the very beginning, they worked alongside us, hunting and tracking and even keeping us safe at night by growling and barking when danger reared its ugly head.
In modern day, this relationship has been forgotten, and the poor pooch is now left to sit at home while we go about our daily business. Take Your Dog To Work Day is set to change this old policy back again, and bring the happy puppy back into our daily work lives.
How to Celebrate Take Your Dog To Work Day
Well, that leaves us with a bit of a no-brainer now doesn’t it? Take your dog to work with you! This doesn’t mean you leave them in the car to cook in the midmorning sun – the puppy should spend the whole day with you by your side. If your work doesn’t have a Take Your Dog To Work Day organized, you can be the one to spearhead this idea and help bring some doggie goodness to your office. Who knows, you may find some more dog fans in your co-workers, and maybe every day will become Take Your Dog To Work Day!
Understand the Do’s and Don’ts
While many people will be excited about the prospect of Take Your Dog To Work Day, employers may not be very welcoming. Trust the bosses to douse a reason to celebrate with water! For the businesses who aren’t keen on the idea, it’s important to be polite and not ruffle any feathers, your parrot’s excluded.
Participating with a reluctant employer is possible, but you do need to follow a few golden rules.
Reference the company’s policy
It’s management’s job to cross the T’s and dot the I’s, so there’s a chance a policy regarding pets in the workplace already exists. With that in mind, flick through the terms and conditions and see what you can find.
It may say that pets are allowed in the workplace because the company is pet-friendly, in which case, you’re ready to rock and roll.
Broach the topic
Nothing annoys bosses more than workers who decide they’re going to do what they want. Therefore, anybody considering flouting the rules probably will be met with swift resistance. The solution – talk to the top brass in advance.
There are nearly a billion owners of cats and dogs around the world, so there’s a good chance they understand the plight of animal-lovers. Leave it to them and let them get around the red tape and bureaucracy. After all, they created it!
Collect signatures
Not to rock the boat or anything, but it’s important to show the desire for Take Your Dog To Work Day. A handful of colleagues’ signatures will act as undeniable proof that people merely want to show off in front of their pooch’s.
Yes, it’s a tad overzealous, yet this holiday means a lot, and The Man needs to know!
Bring work to your dog
Unlike man’s best friend, your boss hates playing ball. Another reason dogs are worth ten managers. However, there’s no reason to go home with your tail between your legs, not when you can bring the office to your dog.
Let work know you need a personal day and plan on carrying out tasks from the comfort of your living room. That way, everyone’s a winner.
Benefits of Take Your Dog To Work Day
Dogs aren’t the only ones that experience a boost in catharsis. Take Your Dog To Work Day is a powerful way to boost an owner’s mental health, too. Studies show that pets in the workplace reduce stress and anxiety quite dramatically and that this has an effect on productivity.
In short, a dog keeps people calm and focused on the job at hand.
Tip: What to Take to Work
For those whose employers are happy for dogs to flood the office, it’s vital to think about their wellbeing. You may feel as if a dog is safer and more secure in the workplace than at home alone, yet they still need a few essentials:
- Water bowl: chasing a career instead of traffic is thirsty work.
- Leash: walkies at lunchtime, anyone?
- Bathroom: you don’t want your dog to flush your job down the toilet.
Dogs Can Change How Stressful Work Feels
A field study at a manufacturing company in North Carolina found that employees who brought their dogs to work experienced an average 11% drop in stress over the day, while those without dogs at work saw their stress rise by about 70%. On days when dog‑owning employees had to leave their pets at home, their stress levels climbed rather than fell, suggesting that having a familiar dog nearby can buffer workers against everyday job pressures.
Office Dogs Often Act as Social “Icebreakers”
Researchers and workplace surveys consistently describe dogs as social catalysts in offices, sparking casual conversations and friendly interactions that would not otherwise occur. One review of pets in the workplace and several organizational reports note that dogs encourage coworkers to talk with one another, which can increase perceived social support and contribute to a more relaxed, collegial atmosphere.
Pet-Friendly Policies Are Tied to Employee Engagement
A large survey sponsored by Nationwide and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute reported that 90% of employees in pet‑friendly workplaces felt highly engaged with their work and connected to their company’s mission, compared with less than 65% of employees in non‑pet‑friendly organizations. Those in pet‑friendly offices were also more likely to recommend their employer and say they intended to stay, suggesting that allowing dogs at work can function as a meaningful retention perk for many workers.
Most People Say They Support Pets in the Office
Although relatively few employers have fully pet‑friendly policies, employee attitudes are strikingly positive. A career‑site survey cited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that 94% of respondents were in favor of allowing pets at work, and more than half said pet‑friendly benefits would influence how they rated an employer. This gap between enthusiasm and actual policy helps explain why dogs at work remain a differentiator in competitive labor markets.
Allergies and Fears Make Inclusive Planning Essential
Bringing dogs into shared workspaces is not universally beneficial, because a substantial minority of people react badly to pet exposure. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that 15% to 30% of people with allergies are allergic to dogs or cats, and workplace culture analyses point out that some employees also have strong fears of dogs or past traumatic experiences. Experts recommend dog‑free zones and clear consent policies so that pet‑friendly perks do not quietly exclude or distress coworkers.
Dogs were humanity’s First Domesticated Work Partner
Genetic and archaeological evidence indicates that dogs were the first animal species domesticated by humans, with their wolf ancestors beginning to diverge into early dogs at least 14,000 to 15,000 years ago and possibly much earlier. Long before livestock herding or farming became common, these early dogs helped humans hunt, guarded campsites, and alerted people to danger, establishing a working partnership that modern office dogs inherit in a very different form.
From Herding and Guarding to Emotional “Coworkers”
Once sheep, goats, and cattle were domesticated roughly 7,000 to 9,000 years ago, dogs became indispensable as herders and guardians that protected flocks from predators and thieves. Over centuries they also took on tasks such as pulling sleds, carrying messages in wartime, and serving as guide and assistance animals. In contemporary offices, their main “job” has shifted from physical labor to emotional labor, providing companionship, stress relief, and a sense of security in knowledge‑based workplaces.
History of Take Your Dog To Work Day
Pet Sitters international decided, in 1996, that there were far too many instances of people leaving their animals at home while they went about their workday. These amazing people are dedicated to saving animals from local shelters and humane shelters, and helping them find good homes with people who will love and respect them.
As part of this, they developed Take Your Dog To Work Day as an attempt to help restore puppies to the workplace and help people understand the human-animal bond.
Pets.Com acquired Take Your Dog to Work Day for a while, but that was before it crashed and burned in the dot-com crash. While they were still standing up and promoting the day, it was promoted by their poster dog Ernie, and then followed him with Sandy.
5000 companies were participating in this event by the end of 2003, and it’s just growing more with every single year.
So take the time on Take Your Dog To Work Day to bring your puppy to work and help educate others on the importance of saving these amazing critters from a rescue shelter and the streets.
National Take Your Dog to Work Day Timeline
Patti Moran starts a pet-sitting business
Tired of the corporate world, Patti Moran starts her own pet-sitting business which would eventually lead her to write the book Pet Sitting for Profit.
Pet Sitters International is Founded
The parent organization of Take Your Dog to Work Day is founded as a way to unite pet sitters toward industry excellence.
Inaugural Take Your Dog to Work Day
Started by Pet Sitters International, Take Your Dog to Work Day is created to encourage workplaces and businesses to allow employees to bring their dogs to work.
Adopted Dog Ernie is the Poster Dog
In its third year, Take Your Dog to Work Day names Ernie, the adopted dog of the president of Pet Sitters International, as the official Poster Dog.
Take Your Dog to Work Day gets a clever slogan
In a fun and cheeky promotion, the day takes on the theme “Because who ever heard of working like a cat?”
Lovers of felines should be sure not to miss National Take Your Cat to Work Day.
