(PRNewsFoto/Hope Is In The Cards)
Today marks the 15th annual
Take Your Dog to Work Day, and while only a small percentage of employers allow people to bring their pets to work, that number is growing, reports
CNBC.com.
According to a 2010 APPA survey, about three percent of dog owners - 1.4 million people - reported taking their pet to the office within the previous 12 months. That was up from one percent six years earlier.
"It continues to go up because it's beneficial to people," American Pet Products Association president and CEO Bob Vetere told the news site. "You can see the difference in people as they respond to these animals."
Vetere's office is among those that is pet-friendly and Greta Springett, who works at Delphic Digital in Philadelphia is another.
When she brings her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Phoebe to her job, the dog is free to roam anywhere she pleases.
"It's a nice perk," Springett told CNBC.com.
Beyond bringing your pet to work being a nice perk, it may actually be beneficial, one study out of Virginia Commonwealth University concludes.
Results from the 2012 study of pets in the workplace found that bringing your pet to work is good not just for the employee but the boss, too.
"Our study seems to support the idea that a dog presence in the workplace may reduce stress, increase job satisfaction and communication and really help with the issue of job burnout," Randolph Barker, a principal researcher for the study told CNBC.com.
In addition to those benefits, a pet presence at work can help with team building and create more loyal employees, he said.
Having pets at work is surely not for everyone, but if an employer is considering a pet-friendly policy, there need to be some rules, says Pet Sitters International, which started Take Your Dog to Work Day. In addition to your pet being up to date on its vaccinations, it should be potty-trained, well-socialized and have basic obedience down.
1. Have a leash.Unless you work in a cubicle or have your own office where your pet can freely roam around, your animal needs to be on a leash.
2. Set barriers to relegate your pet.You might consider a baby gate to keep your dog from roaming around the office unsupervised.
3. Respect your office's dog-free areas.Bathrooms, kitchens and dining areas should be off-limits to your pet. Also, consider talking with management and co-workers about other areas that are pet free.
4. If your dog isn't ready, your dog isn't ready: Keep alternate care arrangements for your pet on hand. Your dog may not be comfortable or ready to be in your pet-friendly workplace. Have a back-up plan.
What do you think about non-service dogs in the workplace? Do you personally work in a pet-friendly environment or know someone in the area who does? Let us know.
