Top 6 Benefits of Dogs in the Workplace

Top 6 Benefits of Dogs in the Workplace A dog  isnt just for Christmas, it is for lifeand in some cases the workplace too! Introducing a furry friend to your office, not only  add a bit of cuteness to your day, but believe it or not, it could also boost the productivity of your workforce! Many of us could only dream of having a pet in the office to keep us company and lighten the mood when times get  tough,  but its not always feasible for a lot of workplaces. Obviously things like allergies and terms of rent have to be considered; however, if theres no real reason holding you back, why not give it some thought? There are a number of benefits of having an office pet and it could be just what you need to boost team morale! Though I get that having a St Bernard in the office could cause some chaos (albeit amazing!), whats to rule out something smaller? Here are some of the top reasons why enlisting a four legged friend for the office could be the best decision you could make  (any excuse for me to look at cute animals): 1) Reduce stress How can you not feel at ease when looking into the cheerful  eyes  of a dog?  Its an instant mood booster and miraculously  all the stress of work seems to dissipate as soon as a pet is around. They must have magic powersor maybe theyre just too cute not to smile! https://twitter.com/DogOIympics/status/825772942197788673 2) Brings the team together An office dog  can be an incredibly powerful bonding tool. In a lot of offices, people like to keep themselves to themselves; but how would this change if suddenly a pet was introduced to the workplace? My bet is that suddenly everyone would want to be where the dog  is and well I neverthey just so happen to be spending time with each other in the process! It will also become a shared  interest among employees, creating a new  point of conversation. https://twitter.com/TheFemaIeBible/status/825591560318439424 3) Encourages healthy living If you have an office dog, it will require walking from time to time and your staff need exercise for the sake of their wellbeing just as much. By sharing the responsibility among the team, or creating a  dog walking rota, it will encourage your employees to be active and get some fresh air. The reduced stress levels will also do everyones health a world of good! https://twitter.com/dognkitty/status/825632385219727360 4) Increased productivity Taking short breaks away from your desk to spend time with the dog, or take it for a walk, could work wonders for your employees productivity. Research has found that giving yourself a bit of a breather allows you to give your mind a bit of a break and return to your work feeling refreshed and engaged. Illustrator John Stortz and his dog Wolfgang traveled the world pic.twitter.com/adjxnfZnan Aesthetic Sharer ZHR (@CGdrawing) January 29, 2017 5) Pets  wont have to be left alone It doesnt just benefit your employees of course, the dogs will thank you too! Dogs dont like to be left on their own for too long and neither is it fair to do so. By allowing employees to bring their pet to the office it means that they dont have to worry about leaving them at home  all day long, or find someone to look after  them. This may also encourage staff to work longer hours, as they wont be rushing home to check on their animals. https://twitter.com/HiIarlous/status/825721452209065988 A few things to consider: Make sure that animals are allowed in the building. Check that employees are not allergic to or scared of dogs. Be sure the dog  is trained and will behave. Make sure the animal is contained and wont escape! Provide all the necessary food, drink, etc. for the  dog. [Top Image Credit:  Pablo]