Okay, maybe this article is an excuse to share cute pics of the office puppies. But come on, the question can be asked: what’s the hype about dog-friendly offices? Is it a good thing? Does it have advantages and inconveniences? Let’s discuss it here.

The Benefits of a Dog Friendly Office

At Kingsley, we are dog-friendly, meaning we can bring our dogs to the office any day. When we ask our collaborators, everybody is quite happy about the situation. It is with a great smile that the dogs are welcomed in the space; they give a nice vibe to the office. But let’s talk about statistics, what are the benefits of having pets in the office :

Stress relief and mental health

Did you know that having dogs in the office can significantly reduce stress levels? According to a study by the American Psychosomatic Society, pets bring up calm responses and reduce blood pressure. The study concluded that:

“People perceive pets as important, supportive parts of their lives, and…significant cardiovascular and behavioral benefits are associated with those perceptions.”

Better connections between colleagues

“A dog is a bond between strangers.” —John Steinbeck

If you were to work in a dog friendly office, you’d see coworkers with a seemingly closed-door policy coming out of offices. You’d also notice tensions dissolving when employees gather to play with an animal.

Pets in the workplace can certainly lighten the mood. In the same study it was shown that nearly 8 out of 10 respondents said working with a pet was positive (In our office the answer is 100% positive). Although the survey takers might not have realized it, the psychological and physiological benefits of a pet in the workplace were at play.

Encouraging movement and breaks

Dogs entice you to take more little pauses and move around, which is good for your health. Office work often involves sitting for long periods, which can bring health issues such as back pain, obesity, and cardiovascular problems. Having a dog in the office encourages employees to take short breaks to walk the dog or play with it, promoting physical activity and reducing the risks associated with prolonged sitting.

Easier life for dog owners

For dog owners, bringing their pets to work can make life much easier. They don’t have to worry about leaving their dogs alone at home, and they can enjoy the companionship of their pets throughout the day.

The Challenges of a Dog Friendly Office

While the benefits are numerous, there are also challenges to consider.

 The Little Accidents

What about the little accidents? Dogs, especially puppies, might have accidents in the office. It’s essential to have a plan in place for cleaning up and managing these situations.

Allergies and Rules

How do you put rules about dogs? What about allergies? It’s crucial to have clear guidelines and policies to ensure that everyone in the office is comfortable and safe.

Some statistics about pets at the office

A sneak peek at some of the findings brought by the study “Working like a Dog: Opinions on Pets in the Workplace” :

• 52% of respondents said that pet-friendly benefits and policies are important when considering an employer.
• 49% said that a pet-friendly work environment could convince them to take a job offer.
• 52% felt more supportive of pets in the workplace due to the pandemic.

At the end of the day, it is a choice for each company. But if you want to have some puppies in your workplace, you can maybe use this article and those cute pics as a first trial to convince HR to welcome dogs in your office.

At Kingsley, we already adopted the dog friendly office, we asked our Barketing Manager if he liked it :

Follow us on Instagram to see our office doggos more often, you might even want to join the team to enjoy them every day !