Just imagine: how nice it would be to be able to take your dog to the office?
It almost seems like a dream, right?
Well, soon it could be much more than a dream …
Think that there is the ” world day of dogs in the office ” (“take your dog to work today”). This is an excellent opportunity that occurs every year (since 1996), both to spend a nice day in the office with your pet, and to raise awareness on this issue.
The beneficial effects of having your dog with you in the office are now well known . In general, just think that nowadays animals can enter many structures that were once closed to them, such as hospitals, education centers or residences for the elderly, precisely by virtue of the many benefits that the presence of animals brings with them.
THE POLLS: DOG IN THE OFFICE YES OR NO?
From several surveys, done over time on this topic, it has clearly emerged that most workers would be happy to be able to bring their dog to the office , for various reasons.
Among the most popular is the awareness that the dog brings with it a good dose of joy , improves the working day in general and finally helps to improve the relationship between colleagues . In fact, animals are able to break down any barrier and thus facilitate relationships and socialization. All these aspects certainly benefit productivity as well .
Some people even consider it one of the corporate benefits that they would like the company to grant with a view to improving the quality of life.
Among the cons , however, polls showed that some owners would rather not bring their pet to the office . Among the reasons that emerged there is the fact that the animal would not feel comfortable outside the home, or the fact that they do not consider the office a suitable place for the well-being of the pet, and a small minority is afraid that the presence of their furry dog could be a reason for distraction .
RESEARCH ON THE ADVANTAGES OF TAKING THE DOG TO THE OFFICE
Numerous international studies state that the benefits of bringing your dog to the office are numerous .
The most recent research was conducted in the UK in 2019 at the University of Lincoln. Among the aspects covered by the study are the well -being of employees and their productivity in the workplace, but also the relationship between humans and pets .
The results clearly demonstrated the benefits of taking the dog to work . In particular, the following are on the rise:
- The satisfaction at work of 22%,
- The working efficiency of 33.4%,
- Attention to their work of 16.5%
- Global employee involvement for the company by 14.4%
In short, the benefits of having animals at work are now widely demonstrated. In addition to those mentioned above, there has been a notable decrease in stress , an improvement in relationships between colleagues , and an overall growth in corporate productivity .
Not to mention the fact that dog owners are generally more relaxed about not having to leave their four-legged friend alone all day and are in no hurry to go home to look after their pet.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BEFORE TAKING THE DOG TO WORK
To make this experience enjoyable for everyone, it is good to keep in mind a number of factors:
- Make sure you have the consent of everyone on the farm, and that no one has a dog hair allergy .
- The animal must comply with all proposed health treatments (vaccinations and pesticides).
- In general , the dog must always be neat, clean and brushed .
- Avoid taking your pet to the office when it is in heat or during the hair change phase .
- If you work in a particularly hot environment it is not suitable for a dog. It would suffer too much.
- Make sure that the animal always has a bowl with fresh and clean water to drink (this always, but especially in the summer season).
- By law, in common areas it is important to have a muzzle and a leash (no longer than 1.5 m long) at hand.
- The animal should not bark or fidget excessively (in these cases, good training is essential).
- On the farm there must be a well-organized and specific area for animals. In order to avoid a forced coexistence that could lead to quarrels and suffering in our furry friends.
- Every two hours, take a break of 15 minutes and use it to take your pet for a walk outside: being able to stretch a little and reactivate the muscles will be a great advantage for both!
ALSO IN THE OFFICE THE WELL-BEING OF THE DOG FIRST OF ALL
In all this we must also ask ourselves: how much would our dogs like to be taken to the office?
It is certainly not the place of their dreams, but if the alternative is to leave them alone at home, surely being in the office is a better situation for them.
In fact, let’s not forget that the dog is a pack animal, and conceives its life in relation to that of the owner, and therefore needs to be in constant contact and collaboration with him.
However, it is essential that the workplace is not a source of stress for our furry dog , otherwise it is preferable – for his sake – not to bring him.
The company environment must not be too noisy and the area dedicated to the animal must be far from crowded or passing places, but it must be a safe and quiet space for him, in which he can take a few undisturbed naps.
If we have the possibility and the opportunity to take our furry friend to work with us, keep in mind that we cannot leave him in the office stationary in the same space for many hours a day, because as it hurts us, it also hurts him. We try every now and then to get up and take a walk together!
Beyond these aspects, the biggest obstacle at the moment are companies : most do not allow animals inside and only a small percentage allow it but for once or twice a year at the most.
Although some of the most famous companies in the world such as Google, Amazon or Facebook have now assimilated this practice, being of great benefit to everyone: both for employees, for animals and for the company itself.
The hope therefore is that this practice will spread more and more!
