'Take Your Dog to Work' Day Celebrates 10 Years
Description
by Ronda Scholting
June 19, 2008
DENVER – About one in every five U.S. companies is dog friendly, allowing their employees to bring their pets to work – but that number will grow this week.
The tenth annual "Take Your Dog To Work" Day is this Friday, June 20, sponsored by Pet Sitters International. More than 10,000 businesses are expected to participate.
As for those fortunate enough to bring their pets to work regularly, Teresa Zeigler owns “Layla,” an American Bulldog. Zeigler brings Layla to work each Wednesday at the American Humane Association in Denver.
Bringing pets to work is a win-win for the animals and their owners, Zeigler says.
”What we’ve learned is, if they can bring their pet to work, they’re more productive employees because they’re healthier,” she said. “And happier and happier staff are more productive staff, so it’s just good business.”
Like the human staffers, the animals are expected to behave in at work. Most spend the day with their owners, but there’s always time to socialize. The key for American Humane and other businesses is striking a balance for pets at work.
“As long as it’s not disruptive to the rest of the staff,” Zeigler said. “It’s just good for a productive workforce. And it’s fun.
“You get to bond with people that you may not have a lot of interaction with. So the dogs are kind of the bridge between different departments, different groups.”
In a recent survey, two-thirds of dog owners said they would put in longer hours at work if they could bring their pet with them. Half of those said they would even take a pay cut.
When Dawn Paling heard about Take Your Dog To Work Day, she made it her mission to convince her engineering firm to take part. She says it is a way to show off “Riley,” the husky Sheppard mix she adopted from a local shelter.
“Well, last year we had Bring Your Daughter or Son to Work Day, and I obviously don’t have any kids,” Paling said. “And there are a few other people around here who don’t either. So I thought, ‘Why can’t I bring my dog to work? He’s my son.
“They love you no matter what. Have a good day, bad day, they’re there. They really are family members.”
Take Your Dog To Work Day is aimed at encouraging people to adopt animals from local shelters by letting employees see the rewards of being a pet owner.
For more information, including how to convince your boss to participate, visit takeyourdog.com
June 19, 2008
DENVER – About one in every five U.S. companies is dog friendly, allowing their employees to bring their pets to work – but that number will grow this week.
The tenth annual "Take Your Dog To Work" Day is this Friday, June 20, sponsored by Pet Sitters International. More than 10,000 businesses are expected to participate.
As for those fortunate enough to bring their pets to work regularly, Teresa Zeigler owns “Layla,” an American Bulldog. Zeigler brings Layla to work each Wednesday at the American Humane Association in Denver.
Bringing pets to work is a win-win for the animals and their owners, Zeigler says.
”What we’ve learned is, if they can bring their pet to work, they’re more productive employees because they’re healthier,” she said. “And happier and happier staff are more productive staff, so it’s just good business.”
Like the human staffers, the animals are expected to behave in at work. Most spend the day with their owners, but there’s always time to socialize. The key for American Humane and other businesses is striking a balance for pets at work.
“As long as it’s not disruptive to the rest of the staff,” Zeigler said. “It’s just good for a productive workforce. And it’s fun.
“You get to bond with people that you may not have a lot of interaction with. So the dogs are kind of the bridge between different departments, different groups.”
In a recent survey, two-thirds of dog owners said they would put in longer hours at work if they could bring their pet with them. Half of those said they would even take a pay cut.
When Dawn Paling heard about Take Your Dog To Work Day, she made it her mission to convince her engineering firm to take part. She says it is a way to show off “Riley,” the husky Sheppard mix she adopted from a local shelter.
“Well, last year we had Bring Your Daughter or Son to Work Day, and I obviously don’t have any kids,” Paling said. “And there are a few other people around here who don’t either. So I thought, ‘Why can’t I bring my dog to work? He’s my son.
“They love you no matter what. Have a good day, bad day, they’re there. They really are family members.”
Take Your Dog To Work Day is aimed at encouraging people to adopt animals from local shelters by letting employees see the rewards of being a pet owner.
For more information, including how to convince your boss to participate, visit takeyourdog.com
