Pets in the Office [Can they make you more Relaxed & Productive?]

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Who doesn’t want a pet in the office? Pets in a work environment can greatly decrease stress and have even shown to improve productivity. However, we want to discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of what this potential option can provoke? We are going to answer a variety of important questions on this subject. Since animals are becoming more common in the workspace, we wanted to share what responsibilities, advantages, disadvantages, and other inquiries that could be pondered.

One great spotlight on this matter is that more offices are taking in local animals who have been sheltered. These local shelters are able to train and give these animals a wonderful home surrounded by many people.

Because of this new and evolving trend, animals are being adopted more and more. We encourage any office to look to their local shelter before adopting.

What type of companies allows dogs to show up for work?

Would you have expected that big name companies such as Amazon, Google, Etsy and yes, Ben & Jerry’s to name a few allow pets? Probably not, however, these companies do! There are several lists that detail which companies have a “pro” outlook on pets being within an office environment.

It may seem out of the ordinary to suspect that big brand companies usually have various office pets roaming around. However, these companies do!

The companies that allow dogs typically follow strict guidelines. The dog must be trained, behaves well in unusual surroundings, or does not become agitated by a lot of commotion.

What type of companies do not allow dogs to visit the workplace?

These type of companies may be more manufactured based, like factories. Most places that involve excessive use of heavy machinery would suggest a “no pet allowed” policy. This is more so to protect the animal from any potential hazardous accident. Although, some tech companies have seen a few of their employees suggest a downside to allowing pets in the office. One main key factor is that animals tend to distract their clientele and employees.

Any food-based production company will not allow any type of pet in the workplace. This goes against the sanitary code for food manufacturing.

However, some food companies (those specializing in dog food for example) may have a canine companion walking around. This makes sense since the animal is part of the company’s retail product.

What day is Bring Your Dog to Work Day?

June 21st! Be sure to mark your calendars for this fun pet day! A little history of “Bring Your Dog to Work Day” started in 1991 by Pet Sitters International. The focal point for “Bring Your Dog to Work Day” was to encourage workplace employees to adopt from local shelters.

June 21st would be a great day to make a contribution to any local animal shelter to either adopt a full-time office pet!

A few sources also show that June 22nd is “Bring Your Dog To Work Day”. Honestly, your office may want to dedicate a day to their employees pets. We suggest either during the Spring or Fall since the Summer can be overly hot for your animal.

Usually the National Day to bring your dog to work will have cafe’s who have treats ready for your pet.

Should dogs be allowed in the workplace? Or is this an opinion based question?

This is a completely opinionated based answer. I believe dogs should be allowed in the workplace, however, maybe on certain days of the week. Some would agree that having an animal within the workplace improves overall mood, yet others would suggest that the workflow decreases.

Some statistics have stated that an improved team working atmosphere jumped, once a dog was introduced to an office environment. Thus, between networking and incoming potential clients found an office dog, welcoming and comfortable.

While many folks will have differing opinions, a suggestion box may be necessary to see what the approval scale would equal out to.

Are There Low Maintenance Office Pets?

Instead of opting for a dog or a cat, what other animals are available that require low maintenance?

Fish (an aquarium takes work to clean and filter, yet fish are mainly low maintenance)
Hedgehogs
Gecko or reptile type pet
Degus (like a rabbit)
Birds (can be known to be quite messy but with the proper equipment the clean up can be quick)

If you do choose a cat or a dog, be sure to see that they are potty trained correctly. Cats are a bit more independent than dogs, but nonetheless the decision for “what type of pet” the office should be a unified vote decision.

Fish are the most common type of pet in an office. Mainly, because of their effect on employees who watch the fish swimming around showed a reduction in high blood pressure. Even therapists have recommended their patients to watch a fish swim around to improve focus, attention to detail, and memory building.

We suggest researching what type of animal may be needed for your work atmosphere. Each animal can provide a particular stress reduction solution.

How does productivity improve with the presence of pets in the office?

A general moral improvement has been noted within the conditions of the workplace once a pet is introduced. Production value can improve for those that suffer from workplace anxiety attacks. Thus, having an anxiety trained animal can comfort the individual to continue throughout the day without decreasing their performance within the company.

As we all know stress tends to be the main ingredient to any career. A former study in 2001 saw how anyone with high blood pressure would decrease once they started a routine of petting a dog. This simple companionship easily satisfies the need to distract the brain to calm down any rising anxiety.

These simple acts help to improve the productivity of not only the employees but, helps to build career networking relationships with future clients. Why? Everyone tends to have an animal at home, but ironically enough starting a conversation about a pet helps to build trust and understanding within these circumstances.

While there are significant production increases, what about the possibility of distraction? We will answer this in the next section.

How Could Productivity Fail or Falter?

When the productivity falters, this could result in a lack of teamwork effort. Along with deadlines being missed, and not paying attention to details required within the paperwork. While becoming distracted because of the new cute furry pet running around, can easily be a distraction. Remember that time management is needed, even when an office pet is present. No need to be there petting the cat or dog for an hour and then attending to work. Be punctual without neglecting your own duties.

With any new introduction within an office, many companies experience a boom in activity with productive qualities. However, an ebb and flow will show the fluctuation before settling into a steady workflow.

After a handful of months, a company should see either the improvement or failing qualities involved with having a service animal or work animal present.

What are the Pros?

This topic has as many pros as it does disadvantages, here are the good qualities:

Increase productivity
Less stress induced meltdowns
Pets trained to identify stress or anxiety attacks can provide a calm solution
A more comfortable surrounding
Helps to promote small talk among colleagues
Excellent for any disabled coworkers who would benefit from an animal companion
A pet in an office actually offers encouragement to the employees
Talking to a pet creates a meditative presence, thus promoting peacefulness in any space

What About the Cons?

The fact of the matter, most of us suffer from allergies. This means pet dander could make coworkers sick while trying to type out the latest memo. No one wants to go to work just to suffer from an allergic attack, every single day. This is where a pet policy comes in. Negotiating a pet policy will help everyone get on the same page without a dispute taking place. Or creating a property management issue if pets are not allowed on the licensed plot.

Allergy attacks
Lack of focus
Scared of cats or dogs
Becoming overall attached and becoming possessive

What Policy Should Be Followed Once An Office Dog is Greenlighted?

A pet policy should be stated for both coworkers who agree to a pet being in the office and others who do not agree. This is keeping a balance between everyone involved. Because the individuals who disagree may have a valid reason such as allergies and they become distracted easily. What should be the first rule of thumb to follow? Always check if that particular building will allow animals on the premise. You may have a boss, but that doesn’t mean they own the property. Check with the property manager or owner to ask about in-office pets becoming a possible commitment.

Compiling a set list of requirements for the office pet should be initiated. Such as vaccinations, training, sanitary cleaning, and zones specifically only for the pet to roam. These categories should be discussed in length with the staff and negotiated to come to a compromise.

This list can also include temporary breaks for different employees to take the dog outside for bathroom breaks and spaces that are directly pet-free for allergy sufferers.

Creating a pet policy will allow for a set of rules to be followed easier than simply bringing an animal in without discussing the basic precautions first.

Which is Better for an Office Atmosphere, a dog or a cat?

Typically a person is either a dog or a cat person. This could cause tension in a space if one prefers more so than the other. However, we would like to highlight the pros and cons of whether a dog or a cat would be better suited for an office.

Pros of having a Cat in the Office:

Independent
Less distractful
Can be trained to detect panic attacks

Cones of Having a Cat in the Office:

Digging through plants
May lack in training
Allergic reaction to cat hair or dander
May claw

Pros of Having a Dog in the Office:

Can be trained to detect stress
Petting a dog has significantly reduced anxiety
Happy greetings as you come into the office

Cons of Having a Dog in the Office:

Can be easily distractful
Needs more attention than cats
If not trained properly a lot can go wrong, such as accidents, barking, or biting

We suggest that if a company is looking for a quiet approach try settling for an office cat. Otherwise, if your company is looking to become more upbeat, settle for an office dog.

Reasons Why Your Boss Should Accept A Pet Into The Office

While we don’t want to ostracize anyone based on the decision of one individual, the question at hand should be heavily considered. A boss does have a significant say in whether or not a pet should be part of the office environment.

A boss who bridges the gap between the stern age old outlook of worker vs. boss relationships (harsh working environments, unwilling to work with each other) can build healthier and more effective workers.

Any one leading a team should also act as part of the team, instead of above. This is where the boss relationship outlook is studied and admired from their employees. Eventually it comes down to the boss who has a huge say in whether or not, an pet will become part of the office.

An added bonus is that the boss will see the immediate joy encountered with a new pet. Many have stated an increase in teamwork and collaboration since pets of becoming part of the office family. There are even statistics showing ease in recruiting staff members because employees have the option to bring their pets to work. Yet the biggest change is the communication factor that most business either have or do not between their coworkers. Pets have an avid effect on better communication skills with employees and potential clients.

Bringing Your Own Pet To Work

No one should off-handedly bring their pet into work without talking to their boss. Protocols should be exchanged and note if your pet is friendly or not. This matters to an extreme point. If your pet is known to bite, scratch, or attack at any given moment, do not take your pet to work. Avoid a potential lawsuit at all costs. Although, if your pet is fine with multiple people, has a calm demeanor, training, then go through with asking if your dog can be brought in.

Consult with your coworkers to see you have pet allergies. Be courteous to others who may suffer from pet dander or pet hair. Most times, if you suggest bringing in your pet you’ll be allowed to. However, ask beforehand to create a well-balanced office space.

Address any issues that may be of concern. Questions about bathroom training may come up, but if your pet is trained to signal the need to go outside, this subject should not be a problem. Consider the sanitary rules that should be followed in an office atmosphere.

What To Do If You Are Afraid of Dogs?

This natural fear occurs more than most people will let on. A fear of dogs can stem from past childhood experiences to recent. If you have a fear of dogs, and your company has released a policy accepting an office dog, by all means, ask for a pet-free space. The company should comply with this suggestion in case others have a similar fear.

Addressing this concern does make you a bad person for not wanting a dog in the workplace. This boundary should be respected and the company will be able to guarantee an accepted space to keep you feeling safe. Do not hesitate to ask.

Note for individuals who have pets but, have a friend or co-worker who is afraid of them. Teaching your own pet to react in a less than active manner, will help build trust with this co-worker or friend. Normally, individuals, who are afraid of dogs it comes from being jumped on or rushed at. This can activate an individual’s flight response. The flight response is switched on from a previous experience that had bad results. So think of your co-worker who may suffer from terror when it comes to being approached by a dog.

Start-Up Businesses Are Jumping On Board

In the last two years, start-up companies are taking hold of incorporating a pet into the office. After doing extensive research, these companies realized that starting right away, helped to build up the co-worker relationships with employees. Thus, offering a less hazardous competitive atmosphere.

Dating back to the 1990’s considering a pet in a work environment may have seemed a bit crazy. Who knew that twenty plus years later, we would be advocating towards needing animals not only at home but without our corporate world.

Maybe we all should take a leaf out of these big companies book who are currently trending within the technological market. While we are being led towards a brighter future, that future very well includes bringing your animals to work.

The Ultimate Perk to Bringing Your Pets to Work

The best financial perk is saving money on a dog walker or doggy daycare. This perk is highly recognized because not only do you get to have your best friend with you. But, your bank account receives a break from a constant payout to doggy daycare. Now we are not saying that this dog sitting companies are not adequate, but when finances are tight, this is a great alternative.

Some companies even provide pet, service animal training if you want to teach your pet to be the office helper.

The added perks are an increased chance by spending time with your beloved pet. Your pet will not suffer from extreme separation anxiety. And as for your dog, this gives them a job to do. Dogs can become easily bored if they are left alone all day, waiting on a dog walker to come by. Instead, opt to give your dog a job to conduct, even if it’s just to have their head scratch by your co-workers.

Why The Increase with Having Animals in the Office?

Ever since dogs have become service animals to their owners, this is what led to an increase with office pets. Typically what would take place is a co-worker who was having their companion trained to become a service animal needs to see various locations the owner frequents. This is to study and identify if their owner may go into an episode of some kind, and would be able to calm them.

What was proven to be exceptionally helpful was the presence of a service animal. Not only for the individual who owns the service animal but for individuals who did not even know they may need a service animal. This goes into the topic of discussing individuals who may not even realize they suffer from a disorder. ADHD, ADD, panic attacks, heavy anxiety, manic depression, and, PTSD are a few disorders that can go unrecognized. Yet, service animals are trained to detect when an individual may be going through one of these episodes.

A company will function better as a supportive unit than a mere individual carrying the entire firm. Service animals remind us to work together and support one another as well.

Pets Trigger the Dopamine Effect

To dig a bit further (but not under the fence as a dog might) as to why pets have such an effect on people it is all chemical. That sudden rush of happiness and contentment has been proven by petting, nuzzling, and talking to our pets. Once that dopamine trigger has been activated, this can last for hours. Allowing each workplace to have happier employees who are enjoying actually being involved with what the company is curating.

Spending a few minutes each day playing with a beloved pet can offer recharging stimuli. While we don’t necessarily acknowledge this, the next time you are feeling run down, go and hug your pet.

The psychological approach to this study even stated that the smell of your pet can have a calming reaction. Mostly because, the olfactory senses are the main trigger warning for individuals, it makes perfect sense that the smell of a pet would have a serene reaction. Yet, the wondrous outlook to this dopamine chemical reaction is that our pets eventually rewire our own coping mechanisms. Creating safer and stress-free coping mechanisms that can allow a person to channel their issues.

Striking the Match for Inspiration

That’s right! These furry animals can inspire inspirational involvement. Think about it, if you are a copywriter or ad visual creator for a pet food company, those office pets can bring out your creative side. Whether it’s bringing a new mascot to the company image, or personality to provoke a loveable catchphrase. Once we allow the unmotivated down moments that happen during the day (usually consists of needing a mid-afternoon nap), our ideas open up to new avenues.

Inspiration tends to stunt after the brain is overworked. And what is the biggest trending word for 2019… “burnout”. Because of the burnout metaphor (and sometimes physically) as a general collective, it’s good to think outside the box. All animals offer an incentive to jumpstart our imaginative worlds because we get to interact with them. Whether it’s with baby talk, playfully throwing a ball around, or playing hide-and-seek. Ironically enough animals bring out our childlike nature, which can be a huge success in the realm of business ethics.

Jumpstart the imaginative process today with an office dog!

Overall Aftermath

By giving you reasons for why it would be beneficial and why it may not have been listed above. The ultimate opinionated answer will either be a resounding yes or no. This depends on the nature at hand and the type of curriculum or restrictions a company follows. Obviously, there are a few rules that need to be followed to ensure safety. Yet, starting up this debated conversation could change your current work environment to a more profitable company. Overall aftermath would be the thousands of articles and personal blogs detailing how employees have improved their quota because an animal is present at the office. Thus, leaving us with one question, why has it taken so long to accept this alternative? Be sure to look into shelters that are currently training service dogs who would work well within an office atmosphere. If you are unsure where to start looking, again go to your local shelter and ask for assistance.

What we ask is to keep an open mind and outlook when this question comes up. Ask how would your own business change with the acceptance of a new furry friend.