These Are The Most Pet-Friendly Workplaces in America
If you’re searching for ways to increase the laughter and minimize the stress in your office, I’m almost certain bringing in a furry companion would do the trick. It’s been proven that pets make the office a happier place, so much so, they’ve got their own day to show how much of an asset they can be for the overall decorum of the workplace.
Right on time for Take Your Dog to Work Day (that would be today, June 21), Wellness® Natural Pet Food released America’s most pet friendly companies of 2019. The list includes our favorite guilty pleasure, Ben & Jerry’s, alongside Amazon, Contently, Procore, Ticketmaster, TripAdvisor, PetSafe, Trupanion, Harpoon Brewery, and Purely Elizabeth.
Amazon shouldn’t come as a surprise, as they’ve been a top pet-friendly company since their inception, with over 6,000 animals on their “staff.” Their Seattle facility has treats at each reception desk and multiple dog parks, including a doggie deck for pups to stretch their legs.
“Having dogs in our workplace is an amazing treat—they make employees smile, and we’re proud this is such a uniquely Amazonian tradition—it’s truly ingrained in our company culture,” said Lara Hirschfield, Amazon’s “Woof Pack” Manager.
Corporations are beginning to see the value in a pet-friendly work environment, encouraging employees to bring their pets to work on a daily basis and making sure they’re just as comfortable as their human counterparts. Ben & Jerry’s brings in veterinarians to speak about behavior and training tips to educate pet parents, in addition to daily dog treats on their way into the office, while ProCore hosts frequent “pawtys” also known as dog-friendly happy hours.
The convenience and comfort in bringing a pet to work has become more important in recent years. A recent study led by Wellness® Natural Pet Food showed that 65% of pet parents agree that having their fur babies at work would enhance the environment and increase productivity. That same survey showed that 59% feel they would get to know their colleagues better with the help of their pets, with half agreeing that “pet perks” are necessary when considering employment.
“Studies have shown how pets can have a positive impact on our own health and wellbeing—from lowering resting blood pressure to reducing stress—but now people are thinking about how those benefits translate to the work environment,” said staff veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food, Dr. Danielle Bernal, “With more companies realizing that pets can improve the working experience, more are going above and beyond to cater to our new furry officemates and make sure they are happy and healthy from 9 to 5.”