Workplaces becoming more pet friendly
Friday, July 13th, 2007Sir Charles prepared for his work debut at IC Systems with an herbal shampoo bath, haircut, beard-whitening facial and a “peticure.†At work, he delivered faxes to co-workers and spent quality time with his owner Larry Weinstein, 77, at the computer.
When the 4-year-old Sealyham terrier strutted through the doors at the Boca Raton, Florida company, he was among canines across the nation who accompanied their owners to the office in honor of the ninth annual Take Your Dog to Work Day.
The event “is a celebration of the great companions that dogs make,†said John Long, manager of Pet Sitters International association in King, N.C., which expected 20,000 employers to participate this year, compared with 300 at the 1999 launch. Companies have become more pet-friendly in recent years, and many are allowing pets to come to work daily, said Doug Poindexter, executive vice president of The World Wide Pet Industry Association, a California-based non-profit promoting responsible pet care.
This trend is growing as pets become more like family members and are treated more like children. A recent American Pet Products Manufacturer’s Association survey reported that nearly one in five U.S. companies allowed pets at work. But given some of the daily workplace demands, the event has also raised concern.
“I think that every business has to make a decision for itself as to whether or not it’s the best thing for their business,†Poindexter said. Proper planning is important and employees should check with co-workers for allergies or pet phobias. According to the American Pets organization’s survey, there are benefits for employers, as the majority of employees polled believed that having pets at work reduced stress and improved relationships and productivity.
“Just make sure you have a poop scoop,†Frank Herhold, executive director of Fort Lauderdale-based Marine Industries Association of South Florida, told employees.
Dogs had visited before, but never five dogs of different breeds, temperaments and sizes. So dogfights were a concern, but employees had that under control.
“It’s part of making the office environment a fun place to work,†Herhold said.
The Marine Industries Association’s special projects manager, Patience Cohn, 51, brought her two Mastiff dogs, Cassius and Ashley, to work. The 160-pound Cassius seemed hesitant to play with Bentley, a cocker spaniel pup dwarfed by the Mastiff.
This year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day, tagged “It’s the leash you can do,†also provided a way for the corporate community to help homeless dogs. Pet Sitters International encouraged employers to partner with local animal shelters and humane societies to promote pet adoptions and stem pet overpopulation.
SOURCE: South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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