Friday is #TakeYourDogToWorkDay
The News invites its readers to send a selfie of themselves and their dog at work!!
Is there anything worse than the daily dose of puppy-dog eyes as you close the front door and leave for the office?
Tomorrow, 22 June, you will get the chance to load your puppy pal into the car and head to your daily grind together. It’s International Take Your Dog to Work Day!
See photos: Muddy Puppy walk at Walkhaven Dog Park
Take Your Dog to Work Day was initiated in 1999 when Pet Sitters International decided that there were far too many instances of people leaving their pets at home when they went to work. They started the day in an attempt to restore puppies to the workplace and help people understand the human-animal bond, as well as encourage adoptions and support for local animal shelters.
Marycke Ackhurst from Hill’s Pet Nutrition says that there’s research as to why having a dog in the home is so beneficial – so why not extend this to the workplace?
Also read: Why a dog is man’s best friend
“Having a pup roaming the halls boosts staff morale, brings a sense of calmness to tense and anxious situations and can help to lower stress levels.”
The important thing to remember is that you need to be prepared to host your canine companion. Marycke provides some pointers:
• Your dog may be your superhero, but not everyone will feel the same way. Make sure that your colleagues don’t mind your dog visiting the office.
• When your dog is included in social activities with other dogs and people, they need to understand at least the basic commands – sit, come and stay should come naturally to them to avoid any chaotic situations.
• Make sure that your dog’s vaccinations are up to date – for their well-being and of the dogs around them.
• Your dog should feel comfortable in its new environment – you can do this by taking some of its belongings with you to the office, for example its bed and a few toys. This will provide a safe, comfortable and familiar sleeping area and its toys will help to keep him entertained. Have a back-up plan should you suddenly have to leave the office or go into a meeting. Someone whom your dog trusts should be on standby to care for it while you are busy.
• Of course access to fresh water, its regular meals and bathroom breaks go without saying.
Marycke says that if you’re considering taking your dog to work, it should ideally be a social, happy dog that loves people. “The experience should be as enjoyable for it as it is for you. If you have a dog that’s very energetic and enjoys being outside, going to the office may not be fun for it.”
Hill’s will have a very special visitor of their own on #TakeYourDogToWorkDay, as their office ‘regular’, Daisy, will be doing her rounds. She will have her very own Hill’s Facebook page takeover, sharing her fun adventures throughout the day. Tune in to the Facebook page – you won’t want to miss it!
The News invites its readers to send a selfie of themselves and their dog at work! Send your pics to krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or post it in the comments section of this article on Facebook. Let’s share in the joy this Friday!
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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