If you already have a furry BFF and you would love nothing more than the chance to be with him all day, mark the 21st of June 2019, on your calendar – for this is the eagerly awaited Take Your Dog to Work Day! The tradition, celebrated in America by companies ranging from Amazon to Google, Nestle Purina and Ticketmaster, pays heed to recent scientific findings showing that pets enhance the working environment. Whether you work in an office or at home, a pet might just be a fantastic way to feel accompanied, loved and peaceful, even when you’re working long hours. These are just a few pros and cons to consider if you are considering keeping your pet by your side while you work.

The Value Of Dogs For Body, Mind And Soul

A study by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that dogs make positive differences in offices by reducing stress and making work more enjoyable for co-workers. The study compared job satisfaction, work commitment, support, and other important areas in two different types of office: those with canine pets, and those without. The findings showed that there was a big difference in the way employees perceived stress when pets were present. In essence, stress decreases throughout the day in companies with furry companions. In these offices, stress levels rose significantly on days in which dogs were left at home.

Dogs Keep You Active

Healthy dogs require at least two long walks a day – and that is both a pro and a con. It’s a con because on a very busy day, even half an hour can seem like a luxury. It’s a pro, however, because the sedentary lifestyle has come to be one of America’s health threats. Our lack of movement is strongly linked to a rise in Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, so having a dog is a great way to ‘force’ overworked employees into the Great outdoors. The Virginia Commonwealth University study found that when dogs were brought to work, co-workers asked if they could take the dog outside. This could be the only walk in fresh air that workers enjoyed all day. To battle the sedentary lifestyle, it is important to take frequent breaks – a perfect excuse to take your pooch out to potty!

Ensuring Your Pet Is Well Behaved

If you work from home, then your main worries will include making time for active exercise for yourself and your pooch. If you are at an office, however, you will need to ensure that your dog is well socialized, obeys commands, and has a calm demeanor. The last thing you want is for your dog to pounce on or excitedly greet clients or co-workers. If your office is pet-friendly, then there may be more than one four-pawed fur baby inhabiting the space under a desk, so your pup may require behavioral classes before he is ready to take up a post at the office.

Having a dog is associated with a lower body mass index, reduced stress, and increased social benefits. If you can easily transport your pooch, and you find that he gets on fabulously with everyone else at the office, then you should definitely take advantage of any dog-friendly policies at work. Your dog will benefit greatly from being by your side and enjoying frequent breaks. You will also feel better if you pause once in a while, go for a game of fetch in the park with your pooch at lunch time, or simply pet your dog during times of the day when stress kicks in.