Is It Healthy To Take Your Pets To Work?

Animals usually conjure up images and feelings of joy (unless, of course, you have a severe allergy to them). We’ve all peeked at those cute animal videos on YouTube, and coming home to a dog or cat can make an owner feel comforted after a long day. Now, more and more information is pointing to the conclusion that animals may be beneficial to humans in other ways.

For years, pets have been used in various health-related companion programs. The most obvious example is service dogs for the blind, although dogs have also been proven to be effective companions for autistic children -- having a calming effect and even allowing some children to adjust their medications. Other health benefits of having animal friends around include a better ability to regulate one’s blood pressure, a correlation with physical fitness and even depression-fighting qualities. Something that hasn’t received a lot of attention, however, is the idea of pets in the work place.

SomaTV’s “Pet Friends” recently explored the way that pets can benefit their owners in a business setting. Two of the individuals that they interviewed, for instance, are Leo Franken and Stevi Gorosh, who run Image Optical -- an eyewear retailer -- in Vancouver, Canada. Leo’s Pomeranian dog and Stevi’s two cats have essentially become part of the staff. And they say that this pet presence has helped keep their customers happy. “Pets in the workplace give people a common ground,” says Stevi.

To learn more about the potential benefits of pets in the workplace, watch SomaTV’s full segment.

Quick Poll

Do you like the idea of bringing your pets to work?

No way! Too much hassle.

Absolutely, I love the idea of spending my work day with my pet.

Maybe ... if my employer encouraged it.

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Comments

[Quinn Gosling]

04:33 PM on 10/11/2011

I am lucky enough to be able to bring my dog work and it has been very positive for the both of us! Our office requires dogs to pass the AKC's standard Good Citizens Test and of course, this privilege can be revoked at any time - because of this fact - employees are diligent in nipping any undesirable behavior in the bud. If any business owners are so inclined - allowing dogs in the office has been proven positive for productivity - I no longer need to rush home to walk him so I stay later and I'm happy to do it! I read a great blog recently on this topic = http://www.foundanimals.org/blog/take-your-dog-to-work = there is a really cute video at the end, In the 2 years I've been at my job with dogs in the office, no fight or dog bite has occurred, dogs in the office can work out really well, there just needs to be structure and rules!

[Dolphinsfan592]

05:54 AM on 10/01/2011

uhhh. who cares. If it was even an option at my job I'd strap my 120lb cain corso to one of those baby carriers that look like a front facing book bag and be as happy as a pig in *&%$!!

[erinbliss]

09:30 AM on 09/25/2011

www.crate-escape.com
For when I couldn't take my dog to work, this is what I would do for him!! Socialization, exercise and exposure to a loving environment of other people. It was a great benefit for both my dogs.

[brinniewales]

04:32 PM on 09/24/2011

The concept works best in a small business or small office setting. It would be difficult if two hundred employees decided to bring their animals to work on the same day.
I often took my three Bichon Frises to the office without a negative impact (I was the business owner, so...). We allowed our secretaries to bring their dogs to work - without major problems. Sometimes a bark in the background was a disturbance, but only momentarily. As far as fleas, disease and potty breaks, most people keep their pets immunized and flea-free and it doesn't take long for them to "go to the grass." It works, but needs to be customized for each business. Now my Dachshund and beach dog are part of the business and customers ask for them by name.

[Ossit]

03:45 PM on 09/24/2011

Pet shouldn't be brought to work if it's not pet related. You've got dog fight problems, you've got allergy problems with people, you have people who may not like animals, not everyone keeps up on shots, you've got flea problems, you've got to take your pet out to do their business or they could piddle. Leave pets at home, take care of them at home. Socialize your dog early to your leaving so they know you're coming back so there's no separation anxiety and house damage. Guide dogs and service dogs obviously are an exception and even then the dogs shouldn't be interfered with. Cats should stay home too.

[erinbliss]

09:23 AM on 09/25/2011

Common sense should be applied when it comes to taking a pet into the work place. I took my dog but he was old, didn't pee on the floor, ALWAYS was up to date on his immunizations, didn't have fleas (never owned an animal with fleas), non allergenic, friendly, didn't bark and DID have separation anxiety issues (if I left him home, he peed on my refrigerator). So he was better off WITH me than without me. Heck, he would disappear once in awhile and I'd find him up the hallway 'visiting' other businesses and making friends. He was a very special guy and I miss him terribly.
Of course, if I had worked in a grocery store or a mall or with someone who was terrified of dogs, I wouldn't have brought him to work with me. If his being there had interferred with the quality of MY work, he would have stayed home. Peeing on my fridge.
Remember, I said COMMON SENSE should dictate.

[ptuph1]

03:38 PM on 09/24/2011

In 2005, I spent 5 1/2 weeks in the hospital ..... 5 chest tubes, 2 lung surgeries with part of one lung removed then patched with cow tissue. Around 4 1/2 to 5 weeks into this nightmare, I asked my doctor when I could go home ..... he smiled and said, "When you're well enough."

At that point, I told my doctor that I REALLY wanted to go home so I could crawl into bed and cuddle with my Lover Man ! The nice pink color of his skin was a delight to see. :-)

I gave him a minute then told him that if he didn't help get me out of the hospital so I could go home, crawl into bed and cuddle with my Lover Man, I was going to have my Lover Man come to the hospital, crawl into bed with me there and cuddle in front of him and everyone else !! The bright red of my doctors face gave a beacon of light for all to see ..... LOL.

I then decided to be kind to him and showed him the picture my sister had brought to the hospital for me, knowing I was missing my 24-pound rescue cat and his affection something awful. BTW ..... my cat ..... ?

NAME: Tuxedo
TITLE: Lover Man
JOB DESCRIPTION: Chief Cuddle Kitty

I don't wear a t-shirt that reads "Outrageous Older Woman" for no reason ..... ;-)

[overtgabby]

03:55 PM on 09/24/2011

So... did they let Lover Man come to visit you? I once snuck our kitten, Mr. Cat into the hospital to visit my boyfriends Mother, who was undergoing cancer treatment. It cheered her up immensely. :)

[Frank Pauly]

03:34 PM on 09/24/2011

As a former manager of an office comples with over 700 employees, bringing in pets of any type caused untold problems. From fleas to allergies of coworkers to excessive noise to unsanitary bathroom habits to spilled food and water that had to be addressed, the idea was, and is bad for all concerned.

[T003]

03:03 PM on 09/24/2011

Clearly and understandably, there are some workplaces where animals should NOT be brought, and there are some workplaces where it would be acceptable. It can be a very nice thing, but it is not a practice fitting for every workplace. And I am pretty sure the author of this article realizes that, and that this article was intended to discuss the positive benefits that can be had when pets are included in 'appropriate' and accepting workplaces. It's not appropriate for every business place, and we all know that, so a debate is not necessary folks. It's just a nice thing to be able to do, if you can. Personally I wish I owned my own business and could bring my pets, but I don't, so I'm glad they have each other to play with at home while I am away at work. If you are concerned about your pet being lonely while you are away, try adopting him a friend : )

[bmitche]

02:58 PM on 09/24/2011

To each his own. I have work to do !

[Parkite]

11:25 PM on 09/24/2011

Then do it and quit fooling around on the internet.

[yovinny100]

02:40 PM on 09/24/2011

Pets really need to be left at home. They can be distracting, particularly if they are needy attention seeking missles. Can you imaging getting a report done on a deadline with a cat sitting on your keyboard? And the potty breaks take you away from work time. I thought we'd gotten away from some of the classic time wasters like hourly smoke breaks, now comes the doody break. And the liability of dog bites, allergic reactions, infections from licking open cuts would end up costing the company in the long run.

Love them at home, leave them at home. Besides, it's more fun to see their reaction when you walk through the door at the end of the day. At least you know that someone is happy to see you.

[MerryandBeau1]

03:01 PM on 09/24/2011

Not all dogs bite
Open cuts, what are you babbling about?
If a company has a pets allowed policy, they would not employ people who had pet allergies.
My dog wastes none of my time at work and is not a distraction or an "attention seeking missile"
I take my lunch hour to bring my dog for a nice long walk at dajcent conservation land, in addtion to walking him an hour prior to work, he also has a dog door if the need arises.
I love my dog, that is why I do not leave him at home for 10 hours a day, to do so would be cruel and inhumane, that is not love. I did not get my dog to flatter myself by having someone ther who was happy to see me.

[conchhorn]

02:39 PM on 09/24/2011

The first person that sneezes can sue the company for allowing one of those animals into the workplace. Our company even banned women from wearing strong scented perfume to work because of alergic reactions from one individual who threatened a law suit. Animals like children don't belong in the workplace period.

[MerryandBeau1]

03:03 PM on 09/24/2011

They can threaten all they want does not mean they will be successful, typical litigous society with a sense of entitelment. If your employer has a policy written or otherwise that allows pets, that trumps ones' "allergies".

[japhya1]

05:19 PM on 09/24/2011

MerryandBeau, unless you are working at a Veterinary's office or a kennel there is no reason to bring your dog to work. When I leave home in the morning I am expecting to be among humans not animals. I find that it's in certain people's gene pool to be be self enough to think that everybodywants to be around animals just because they do

[japhya1]

05:20 PM on 09/24/2011

I meant selfish..

[Blarg]

01:38 AM on 09/25/2011

You sound like a very mean person, and I agree with you 100%.

Pet allergies can be really uncomfortable for people. Constantly sneezing, blowing through boxes of kleenex, and having your eyes swell up is not supposed to come with the job.

And let's be honest -- it is extremely common for people to make excuses for the bad behavior (or hygiene) of their pets. Now I love cats and dogs to a fault, but that cat that steals bracelets or rips your coat to shreds, or that dog that chews your handbag to pieces is not *actually* cute -- or tolerable -- to anyone but his owner.

[dickn2000b]

01:38 PM on 09/24/2011

Another feel good story. What if you work in a sterile cleanroom environment? What if you're a surgeon? What if you take public transportation to work? What if some of those who work with you are allergic to pets? What if your boss just hates dogs and cats? I have a Siberian Husky and a house full of cats. I wouldn't think of imposing my love of pets on others and I hope they would feel the same way. There's also the danger of your pet biting or scratching someone, maybe even your boss at work. And then there's the danger to the pets from God knows what in the work place. Chemicals, toners, cleaning supplies, from being fed crap by well meaning, or not so well meaning workers. This writer presents only the idyllic and pleasant aspects of this practice. Consider the negative aspects also.

[Maryfoster]

01:53 PM on 09/24/2011

Common sense dictates that certain work environments are not condusive to having pets, you are not going to see dogs anytime soon in the operating room at a hospital. It boils down to workplace environment, if tyour boss hates cats/dogs fairly certain that he/she would not allow pets. If a private business has a policy where pets are allowed, your opinion does not matter, they have that right. Humans account for more bites on humans than do dogs, 100 fold. You are failing to see that if a business chooses to allow animals to be at the workplace, that is their right. If you do not like it either choose another job or take your business elsewhere.

[japhya1]

05:33 PM on 09/24/2011

Ms Maryfoser, if a person call OSHA(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and say that the pet is a hazard to their health regardless of what the business choose, the animals/pets have to go, unless it's a vet, kennel, or someplace where animal/pets are suppose to be. Pets don't belong in the workplace just like children don't. Remember MsMary,a pet is a pet so tell me, how you like it if someone brought in their pet boa constrictor to work and allowed him to crawl around the office.....Just asking!

[brinniewales]

04:36 PM on 09/24/2011

Quite obviously, allowing animals at work is not for every business or industry. Common sense dictates.

[wooty99]

01:37 PM on 09/24/2011

My 2 Jack Russell terriers come to work in my shop with me every day and have since they were puppies. In all of the time they have been there, no one has ever had a complaint. They even have friends who come in just to visit them. If I didn't bring them they would spend 10-12 hours home alone,

[Maryfoster]

12:41 PM on 09/24/2011

I brought my dog to work with me the day I adopted him. Since then we have a policy whereby all employees are allowed to bring in their pets. The overall difference is amazing. We have less employee absenteeism, more commradiere, higher production.

[tacowater9]

12:13 PM on 09/24/2011

Doesn't just depend on where you work? Candy Shop, Operating Room, Sheep Ranch, K-9 unit?