Are Dogs the Solution to Office Stress?

Some of the biggest names in the business are currently “recruiting” dogs to reduce office stress and those big names include Amazon and Google. In fact, “affection for our canine friends…” is an official part of Google’s corporate code of conduct. Multiple offices around the US usually have at least one dog in them and make no mistake; they are absolutely loved in those places. Water fountains are adjusted so that the dogs can reach them if they are thirsty and the reception desks are always stocked with enough dog food to keep our furry friends full and happy. So, let’s take a closer look at the concept itself and how dogs are actually helping to reduce stress in a work environment.

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Dogs Can Make an Office Feel Like Home

Most offices which have dogs report that people visit them particularly when they are feeling down or overstressed during or after a day’s work. The presence of dogs make an office environment feel less like a formal institution and more like a home at times, especially for those that already have a dog at home.

They Help the Employees Get Some Exercise

Taking the dog out for a walk or some playtime is usually the responsibility of all employees working in an office. This also serves as a great way to get them out of their cubicles and onto the park for some exercise and fresh air. More often than not, it’s a form of exercise that people actually enjoy and even look forward to.

They do Indeed Relieve Stress

There’s a reason as to why more and more companies are adopting office dogs to reduce stress and that reason is the fact that it works and works well. Petting and playing with a friendly dog has been proven to release stress and cheer one’s mood up in minutes. Even those that do not have or have ever had pets in their home love their time with the office dog. Maybe it has something to do with the relationship which we have always shared with our domesticated furry friends.

They Help to Retain Millennials

Millennials in particular love to work in an office space with pets in them and companies have found that they find it harder to leave an office once they grow attached to the office dog. It’s right up there with gumball machines and gym memberships according to surveys!

A Daycare Center for Dogs?

Many office dogs actually belong to the employees of the office itself. When an office welcomes friendly dogs, the owner can rest easy because he/she doesn’t have to leave the dog alone at home any more. Instead, the pup can simply play with everyone in the office, keeping both itself and the employees happy in the process.

However, there are a few rules which every dog and its owner must follow.

• They have to be vaccinated
• They have to be friendly and without a history of violence
• They have to be potty-trained well enough to not soil the office premises
• They have to be in good health

In case you are wondering what someone with a dog allergy is supposed to do, most establishments make sure that employees who have the allergies are never exposed to the dogs.

Over all, having a stress-busting dog at the office is an excellent idea, if the rules are properly followed. We expect to see many more companies in the US take up the policy in coming years. A happy employee is a productive employee and dogs do bring that sense of relaxation and cheerfulness to everyone around them.