Dogs at Work – but Definitely Not Working Dogs

A year ago, on the blog, I reported that the beagle had landed. It was just about a year ago that my wife and I adopted Lily – middle-aged for a canine – from a local rescue group. We feel like we hit the jackpot, and we are still dumbfounded that she had been passed over at nine adoption events, given that she’s the sweetest, most gentle and lovable dog out there (except for your dog, of course). 

Fortunately for me, The HSUS already had a “dogs in the office” policy in place, so when I am not traveling, I’ve been able to bring her to the office with me every day. That’s been a joy for me.

I am an evangelist for the idea, after seeing its impact in the workplace. It’s an incredible workplace benefit, and because today is Take Your Dog to Work Day –a day created by Pet Sitters International™ in 1999 to honor the human-animal bond – it’s a perfect time to introduce the idea to the management of your company. Here are some tips for convincing your boss to allow dogs at work, adapted from the book Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces. And here’s my take, and Lily’s, on the idea.