These days, office dogs are practically staff members at companies ranging from scrappy startups to post-IPO giants.
At Rover, a Seattle-based company that helps pet owners find local care for their furry friends, office dogs are an integral part of the job.
“We know that the benefits of a dog-friendly office impacts workplace satisfaction,” said Jovana Teodorovic, Rover’s head of people and culture. “I love that my workplace surrounds me with nearly 50 dogs on a daily basis.”
I love that my workplace surrounds me with nearly 50 dogs on a daily basis.”
It may not be surprising that live animals are an integral part of life at a pettech firm, but this aspect of tech workplace culture is influencing larger trends in business.
Sixty percent of Americans own a pet, and that number is continuing to climb. It makes sense that the pet-owning majority would be inclined to have their furry friends be with them throughout the day — especially with the average dog walker costing $30 a day.
But as much as I (and my Instagram followers) treasure each fluffy pup I encounter in my day-to-day work, I’ve seen enough barking matches of my own to know that office dogs, while wonderful, come with their own unique challenges.
Dogs in the office: Just the facts
Research has repeatedly indicated the positive effects of human interaction with dogs. America’s 500,000 service dogs assist people both physically and emotionally. Ninety-five percent of pet owners consider their cats or dogs to be full-fledged family members — with some even going as far as to consider their pets “children.”
“Combined with individuals viewing relationships differently, leaving home later and marrying even later, dogs have become a constant companion for many,” explained Richard Pummell, vice president of HR, talent and culture at the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation.
Dogs have been linked to longer lifespans, reduced feelings of depression and isolation, improved cardiovascular health, improved emotional development and more. New research seems to emerge on an almost-daily basis, reminding us again and again, “Dogs are good!”
The question remains, though: Are they good for productivity? After all, not everything that puts us at ease outside of work is translatable to our in-office success (see: wine, YouTube wormholes, bunny slippers).
Fortunately for the dog-inclined, studies on office dogs have generally turned up positive — or at the very least, neutral. A 2017 study out of Central Michigan University found that the presence of a companion dog increased collaboration in a group setting.
Other studies have highlighted stress relief and inter-office friendliness as benefits of a dog-friendly work environment.
[Dogs] heighten employees’ emotional intelligence, helping them feel more comfortable opening up with one another.”
“While having dogs at the office brings the obvious playfulness and endless wagging tails, it also heightens employees’ emotional intelligence, helping them feel more comfortable opening up with one another,” said Rover’s Teodorovic.
It’s true: I may be an introvert, but there are just some faces I cannot resist.
Dogs may help forge bonds in a group setting, but there are also unique individual benefits to caring for a pup. In my interviews with dog-owning techies, they all pointed to the regular walks as a major boon to their productivity. A bit of light and air is an excellent refresher before returning to the day’s tasks (and, you know, serotonin).
While more difficult to quantify, experts have also pointed to the value of having a pet-friendly office as a recruiting and employee-retention tool. Those who feel that a company is more in line with their personal values are more likely to accept a job offer at that company, and remain with that company for a longer time.
“Company culture is one of the most important factors that attracts talent to a workplace and tends to keep them there,” said Teodorovic. “We recently conducted a survey of more than 1,200 U.S. dog owners and found that 75 percent of pet parents who are able to bring their furry family members to the office are more likely to stay with their current employer.”
She continued: “They’re more engaged, too: two-thirds of employees who currently bring their dog to work feel strongly that they’re more likely to approach and start a conversation with a coworker if they have a dog with them.”
Thinking of going pet-friendly?
So, there’s the good news. But: If your office or business is considering becoming pet-friendly, there are a number of considerations to take into account.
Fifteen percent of those afflicted by allergies report allergic reactions in the presence of dogs and cats. In a pet-friendly office, accommodating those with allergies is essential — you can’t expect an employee in the midst of a sneezing fit to be productive or happy.
Solutions to this particular issue include designating pet-free zones within an office, and installing tools, such as fans and HEPA filters, to control airborne pet dander.
Other risks of a dog-friendly office include transmission of diseases, environmental hazards such as slips and falls, and employee discomfort (fact: not everyone loves your spastic Jack Russel).
Considerations must also be taken for pooches. Is the office comfortable and safe for pets? Will they have access to water and walks? Are there potential triggers that could cause excessive barking or aggressive behavior?
If the office dogs are not well trained, they can hurt productivity.”
“If the office dogs are not well-trained, they can hurt productivity,” said dog trainer Steffi Trott. “A dog that constantly gets up and moves around, perhaps empties the trash can, or even has potty accidents inside the office, is a nuisance for everyone. Proper training and socialization is a must.”
Research published in the International Journal of Environmental and Public Health says that employers considering going dog-friendly should “develop a procedure to assess employees’ attitudes, beliefs, and opinions concerning the presence of dogs in the workplace.”
This information can be captured via surveys, focus groups or standardized questionnaires like the Pet Attitude Scale. Researchers encourage that this data be collected repeatedly and regularly to “capture any changes in employee perceptions.”
If done right, though, a pet-friendly office can be a treat.
