More and more businesses are allowing dogs in the office these days, and with good reason.
Dogs can help to lower employees’ stress, help employees to bond better, and help to improve employees’ performance, to name just a few of the benefits.
Here Are Five Great Reasons Why You Should Consider Allowing Dogs in the Office
1. Dogs Can Help Lower Stress and Anxiety
You may know that psychiatric service dogs can assist people with mental illnesses like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and social phobias by performing tasks that are specific to their owners’ needs. To learn more, check out Certapet’s guide to psychiatric service dog.
But what you may not realize is just how beneficial dogs can be in helping anyone alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression.
Numerous studies have shown how dogs can help people when they become stressed or anxious. For instance, a study by Virginia Commonwealth University discovered dog owners who took their dogs to work had lower levels of stress compared to dog owners who had to leave their canine pals at home during the workday.
Therefore, dogs make wonderful additions to the office.
When employees are less stressed and anxiety-ridden, they’ll be more productive and efficient. So, having a dog in the office can be beneficial for both the employees and the company.
2. Dogs Help All Employees to Be Happier and Bond Better
Dogs at the office don’t just make their owners happier and more productive. They also enable all employees in the office to keep a smile on their faces and work more productively.
Also, dogs can help employees to bond better, as they trigger conversations that wouldn’t otherwise occur.
3. Exercising Dogs Can Improve Performance at the Workplace
Dogs need to walk, which means dog owners who take their dogs to work are forced to leave the office during the day, such as at lunchtime, to walk their furry friends.
Walking doesn’t just benefit the dogs. It benefits the owners, too.
Getting exercise and fresh air will improve employees’ health and wellbeing. In turn, that means the employees will be better at their jobs.
If you’re having a stressful morning, you could return after lunch with a brand-new frame of mind if you’ve taken your dog out for a walk.
And when you’re busy with large workloads, you can let other people in the office take your dog for a walk, which will help them to ease their stress and become more productive.
4. Employees Can Save Money on Dog-sitting Costs
Employees who are permitted to bring their dogs to the office feel more positive toward their employers. That makes the employees happier and more focused and satisfied with their work.
Furthermore, dog owners who have to pay for sitters, or find it difficult to afford dog sitters, will be able to save money. In turn, that also means dog owners who are allowed to take their dogs to the office will have more appreciation for their employers.
5. Dogs Can Help Businesses to Retain and Attract Top Talent
Today’s workforce is in the midst of change. More and more employees expect their employers to provide tools for a better life-work balance by offering things like flexible working hours and the ability to work remotely.
And more employees are expecting their workplaces to be favorable towards having pets in the workplace.
Employers need to meet the new expectations of today’s workforce if they want to retain and attract the top talent.
When businesses don’t allow dogs at the office, the best workers who are dog owners could go with a more open and accepting company, and existing top talent who become new dog owners may consider leaving.
About the Author
Sarilaya Cada is a freelance content writer. She is interested in a wide range of fields, from project management, to education, to engineering.
