An open letter to the boss: Take Your Dog to Work Day

This is in honour for International Take Your Dog to Work Day® (created by Pet Sitters International) – a day which aims to celebrate the love and friendship dogs that provide and encourage adoption. Having dogs in an office can be a positive experience in the working environment for both you, and your furry companions!

Coco is available for adoption at RSPCA Brisbane. She currently spends time in the offices. Ashleigh in Volunteering says, "Such a sweetheart and loves playing with her toys. She is also super affectionate and whenever she is in the office I take her for a midday run through sensory gardens and she does the best zoomies ever!"

Having your dog in the office with you is a great way to boost productivity and communication. By having an employee’s best furry friend close by you can increase team morale and colleague bonding. Let’s be honest, in every office there are people who don’t see eye-to-eye… except when it comes to patting and treating adorable pooches! Having dogs in the workplace can create great conversation starters and improve communication.

We all know the feeling of a ruff day, but did you know that scientific research indicates that having dogs in the workplace help employees to de-stress? Stroking a dog’s fur lowers blood pressure, purring cats also have a similar effect.

If you can’t bring your dog to work but want to help other homeless pets, perhaps your workplace can donate to the RSPCA to help animals in their care find the purrfect furrever home?

This is sweet Rai, he spent some time as an office foster at the RSPCA before being adopted by 97.3FM's Robin Bailey, "He went on to live such a lovely life, we will always remember him."

There are plenty of benefits to having your pooch in the office but there are also rules to remember when taking them into the office. Here are just some of our Top Tips:

1. Firstly, your dog should be socialised with other dogs and people.
2. Check that no one at your workplace is allergic to dogs and discuss with them if bringing your dog to work would adversely impact their health.
3. Some work environments may not be appropriate or safe for dogs, so it is important to find this out in advance!
4. Don’t forget to pack your companion’s essentials for a day out!

Learn more on how to keep your dog safe and happy on Take Your Dog to Work Day here.

Are you are planning on taking your dog to work?

Dear [Boss*],

You may be aware that Friday, 23 June is International Take Your Dog to Work Day. It has come to my attention that you have some reservations about allowing employees to bring their dogs to work, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share some furry important facts with you.

Animals in the workplace can be an incredibly positive experience for all parties (animals included). They have been proven to:

1. Boost employee morale and productivity. Animals are guaranteed to boost morale and increase productivity in the workplace. Plus, with man’s best friend close by, employees won’t want to leave work. Imagine that – a workplace where employees want to stay past 5.00pm. Revolutionary!
2. Encourage healthy habits & creativity. Our sedentary lifestyles mean Australians don’t do nearly enough exercise. However, with [dog name] in the office, that means regular 'pee' breaks to get some fresh air.. resulting in fresh ideas too! 
3. Foster team bonding. Let’s be honest, in every office there are people who don’t see eye-to-eye… except when it comes to bonding over adorable pooches! Having dogs in the workplace will help employees put their differences aside and come together and also improve communication!
4. Decrease ruff-day blues Scientific research indicates having dogs in the workplace will help employees de-stress when they’re having a ruff day. Just stroking a dog's fur lowers blood pressure, purring cats also have a similar effect! 

I look forward to your positive response in welcoming [dog name] into the office!

Kind regards,
[your email signature]

PS: if we really can't bring our pets to work, perhaps the company could support the RSPCA with a donation to help the animals in their care looking for forever homes?