The AnnaBlog

Wish you could take your dog to work every day? Us too! Not everyone works with dogs every day, so there is a special day every year where thousands of businesses celebrate dog ownership and dog rescues by encouraging their employees to bring those pooches to the office! First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. This annual event encourages employers to experience the value of pets in their workplace for this one special day to promote pet adoptions.

As recently written in Dog Fancy magazine, the event is quite popular all over the country, including right here in Michigan:

For the past four years, 6-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier Chloe has been going to work with her owner Christine Eluskie on Take Your Dog To Work Day. The moment they arrive at their destination, Chloe seems to know this isn’t just another typical outing. Instead, shes destined for a day of fun and games with other dogs and being spoiled by everyone at Village Green, the property management company in Farmington Hills, Mich., where Eluskie works.

Find out if your company can participate in this annual event just like the staff at Village Green in Farmington Hills, Mich., does. The office is staffed by 80 employees and at least 30 dogs showed up for the last event, Eluskie says. “It was like a doggie carnival. We go out of our way to make it as much fun for dogs, their owners, and for everyone else in the office. Everyone involved brings their pets bed, along with food and treats. Some even bring baby gates to ensure their pets don’t wander. I can tell that Chloe relishes every moment being by my side, and its reciprocal. At the same time, we are very mindful of co-workers who are allergic and possibly even afraid of dogs. * * * We believe that through this day, co-workers without pets get to witness the human-animal bond firsthand and are encouraged to adopt a dog of their own.”

So that all the dogs participating at Eluskies office event have a doggone good time, the company invites a dog massage therapist to come. The charge is $5 for a massage. Employees also make a $25 donation on behalf of their dog that benefits the Animal Placement Bureau, a local pet adoption organization in Lansing, Mich., Eluskie says. Eluskie also fosters dogs in her home, and co-workers who would like to take part but don’t have dogs of their own are allowed to adopt a foster dog for the day. “It’s worked out really well because we’ve actually had eight dogs find forever homes as a result,” Eluskie says.

Take Your Dog To Work Day was created by Pet Sitters International to celebrate the great companions dogs make. This annual event encourages employers to experience the value of pets in the workplace, even if just for one day! Ultimately, its about encouraging pet adoptions from shelters, humane societies and rescue groups. Pet Sitters International believes that people without dogs will see the loving bond their co-workers have with their pets and will consider adopting orphaned pets for their own.

Having trouble believing your boss will go for Take Your Dog to Work Day? Pet Sitters International offers the Top 10 Tips to help convince your boss to participate, among other resources:

10. The squirrels in the neighborhood deserve a break.
9. Wagging tails work great when the a/c is on the fritz.
8. With a dog as your passenger, youll be able to use the car pool lane.
7. Its a great way to lick the work day blahs!
6. My dog thinks you’re grrrrrrreat!
5. Meetings end as soon as Rover starts staring at the conference room door.
4. You can blame those missing reports on one of your employees dogs.
3. Its the leash you can do.
2. Finally, someone at your office will actually be working like a dog.
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON TO TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK
1. Friday, June 26, is Take Your Dog To Work Day!

PSI also offers from great factoids to help you convince your boss that participating will help productivity and workplace morale, from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association:

• 55 million Americans believe having pets in the workplace leads to a more creative environment
• 53 million believe having pets in the workplace decreases absenteeism
• 50 million believe having pets in the workplace helps co-workers get along better
• 38 million believe having pets in the workplace creates a more productive work environment
• 32 million believe having pets in the workplace decreases smoking in the workplace
• 37 million believe having pets in the workplace helps improve the relationship between managers and their employees
• And, 46 million people who bring their pets to the workplace work longer hours

Want to participate or learn more about Take Your Dog to Work Day? Check out the website.