Cheer Up at the Office by Bringing your Dog to Work

A new study by Virginia Commonwealth University finds that brining your four-legged friend to work could make a "positive difference" during your day by "reducing stress and making the job more satisfying for other employees."

So, how did VCU find that brining your dog to work lowers your stress levels? "The VCU researchers compared employees who bring their dogs to work, employees who do not bring their dogs to work and employees without pets in the areas of stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and support."

Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D., the main guy on the study, said,

“Dogs in the workplace can make a positive difference,” he said. “The differences in perceived stress between days the dog was present and absent were significant. The employees as a whole had higher job satisfaction than industry norms.”

Baker also went on to say,

“pets in the workplace can be a great bonus for employee morale …,” “having dogs here is great stress relief” and “dogs are positive; dogs increase coworker cooperation.”

If you would like to read the full study, here is a link to the VCU website.

I've said it once, and I'll say it again, I love businesses that have dogs. For me, when I see a dog in a business or office, it automatically makes me happier. I remember going into one establishment recently and there was a dog. The dog followed me around the whole store like we were long-lost friends, and it made me happy.

Because of this feeling of happiness I get as consumer going into a business with a dog, I fully agree that employees could be less stressed and happier if they brought their dog to work. It's always nice to have your best friend by your side when you're having a bad day.