June 25 (Friday) is Take Your Dog to Work Day. I have been a supporter from day one, now Pet Sitters International oversees the events and associated activities. Hopefully, your place of work will welcome your best friend with four legs. Here are some of my tips to help make the day a success:
- The day before, clean up your office work space, so there's nothing to scarf up that your dog shouldn't.
- Go out for an early morning stroll, to get your brain cells going and to at least take the edge off. As they say, 'A good dog is a tired dog.'
- So your dog isn't begging all day for snacks, a good breakfast. It's important for your dog, just as it is for us.
- In smaller offices, take your pup around to introduce him/her to all the people (and other dogs).
- Offer water
- Nice breath, and a clean coat - not only good for your pup but more polite. Would you want to meet new friends without combing your hair?
- Remember potty brakes. I know your pup goes 8-hours or more typically while you're at work, but under these exciting circumstances, your dog may be drinking more. And just the excitement....You don't want an accident, of course.
- Give your dog a job. Stuff moist food, lowfat peanut butter or kibble in Kong or Busy Buddy toys, or other similar enrichment toys. This is a great way to prevent boredom too.
I loved Take Your Dog to Work Day from the start because, well having a dog near you really does reduce stress - under the best circumstances. But not a barking dog or dog who just isn't socialized or happy about being around so many strangers. Having dogs in the work place can completely derail getting any work done. That's not the case usually. Improving morale, because dogs will put a smile on your face. And we KNOW that when those smiles occur a happy dance of endorphins happens in the brain. It's a drug you don't need a prescription for and watching a wagging tail and petting a dog is a drug with no side effects.
Ironically, today our office building, the Silver Spring Innovation Center (SSIC), denied our request to allow resident companies to set their own office pet policies. Not very innovative or technology-worker friendly, so we are terminating our lease agreement and moving to pet-friendly office space! Ridiculous when you consider even Congressional employees are allowed to bring dogs to Congress every day.
I absolutely agree with you!