Even if you love your boss and your coworkers, if most of us are honest, we love our dogs more. Some workplaces caught onto the idea of allowing employees to bring their pets to work in hopes of boosting morale. The clincher? It seems to work.
Are office dogs actually a great idea? There are pros and cons of bringing your dog to work, but all of the following reasons seem like pros to us.
You Now Have a Model Intern
Finally, an unpaid intern who actually likes going on coffee runs. Any runs, really. This one naps more than the average intern, but we’d argue they’re helping coworkers manage their stress levels by adding peaceful ambient background noise. I.E. cute puppy snores.
Dogs Are Better at Teamwork Than Most People
No power grabs or office politics here. Have you ever seen a passive aggressive tail wag? We didn’t think so.
Dogs Make Excellent Lap Warmers
Why invest in a heated blanket when you could bring a blanket that loves you? You don’t have to feed a regular blanket, but that’s a minor detail.
Office Dogs Really Do Lower Stress Levels
We’re not making this up just to convince our boss to let us bring our dogs to work. One study by psychology professor Dr. Meredith Wells-Lepley at USC confirmed that most employees studied found that pets in the workplace had a positive effect on their health and mental wellness. Take one look at that face and you can see why.
We’d Wager Bringing Your Dog to Work Helps Their Stress Levels Too
Especially when going to work with you means hitting the beach. Even in an office, your dog would be thrilled just to be by your side all day. So much better than waiting on the couch at home.
Office Dogs Also Help Productivity
Because staff members are happier and more satisfied with their jobs, they are automatically more focused and productive.
If You’re a Contractor, Your Dog Can Pass You Tools
No cons here, as long as your assistant doesn’t see a squirrel when they’re in the middle of fetching a power drill.
Even Google Celebrated Bring Your Dog to Work Day
Google is the trendsetter. We should all follow its lead.
Bringing a Buddy on Long Drives Helps You Stay Alert
You don’t have to be a long haul truck driver to enjoy company. Even an average morning commute is more fun with your best friend riding shotgun.
The Command “Stay” Comes in Handy Too
Particularly useful while you’re installing laminate flooring or wallpaper. That, or just for emergency snuggles after having to make a stressful phone call.
A Dog in Uniform Is Cuter Than You’d Imagine
People say they love a man in uniform, but have you seen this handsome fellow? We all know who wins the best boy contest … and it’s not your boyfriend.
Dogs Make Sure Your Work Day Doesn’t Get Too Boring
Or sedentary. Dad, you’ve been sitting too long. Take a mandatory productivity break for your mental health. The enforcement officer is highly determined.
Dogs at Work Help More Than Just Workers
Customers, clients, patients. Whoever you serve can probably be served better if whatever you’re providing comes with tail wags and excited tippy taps on the house.
Who Knows? Maybe Your Dog Will Become the Breadwinner Instead of You
Becoming an influencer is the easiest option here, but we have so much faith in dogs. If they can detect diseases just by smell, why not become the world’s next best sound engineer?
Even If Your Dog Isn’t Helpful at Work, They Are in Their Own Way
Take this dog. He doesn’t look like he’s cut out to be a lifesaving search and rescue dog, but he’s saving lives by cheering up the firefighters when they get back to the station. He’s also making sure the fire hydrants are up to code. Don’t ask about his methods.
They’re Not the Safest Co-Pilots, but They’ll Try Their Best
The opposable thumb thing isn’t ideal for operating heavy machinery, but sometimes having a friend in the cockpit is all the support you need.
If You Need Anyone to Dispose of Old Tires, You’ve Hired the Right Mechanic
Edit: Recycling professional. This model also doubles as a paper shredder as long as you pour chicken broth over your receipts first.
Some Office Dogs Are Purely Decorative
Work environment changes your whole day. An affectionate kinetic sculpture is a much bigger upgrade than another succulent.
Dogs Always Tell It Like It Is
That meeting could have been an email? Your dog agrees. Break time needs to be 15 minutes longer to make enough time for a walk at the park across the street? That dog will sign your petition with all four paws.
Plus, if that annoying coworker who pretends to be nice comes by your desk one too many times, your dog will serve as a gentle deterrent.
If You Have a Hypoallergenic Breed, Office Allergies Are Little Concern
Fur and dander from pets can aggravate allergies, but if you have a breed that doesn’t shed much, like a miniature poodle, your coworkers should be able to enjoy the added companionship without worrying about itchy eyes.
Just Seeing a Dog At the Office Is a Mood Booster
Playing with a dog naturally elevates serotonin and dopamine levels. In other words, everyone at the office will have happier brains just from sitting next to a velvety friend like the one above.
Depending on the Dog, They Might Help You Stay in the Zone
If they’re the type that prefers to quietly lounge by your side, you’ll have companionship minus the interruptions of a chatty Kathy from the next cubicle over.
Dogs Are Pretty Great at What They Do
We don’t have any idea what his job title is, but Manny is clearly a professional. He totally knows how to use that stapler, and he didn’t even lie when he added “proficient in Microsoft Excel” to his resume.
If You’re Still Not Convinced, Even a Backstreet Boy Brought His Dog to Work
If Lance Bass is doing it, we’re doing it.
How Can You Have a Ruff Day With Coworkers Like These?
You can’t. End of story. Unless one of your human office mates is highly allergic or afraid of dogs, write your manager a convincing pitch for allowing dogs at work. Either that, or slowly replace every coworker with canines. Who’s going to notice?