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Sticky Notes Blog

June 3, 2015

3 Benefits of an Office Dog

Many households enjoy the presence of at least one pet. Owning a pet offers numerous benefits, but it can be highly beneficial to have a pet in the workplace, as well! Here at EON, we love our office dog, Henry, who is pictured below. Here are 3 reasons – all supported by scientific research – for having a dog at work.

 

#1: Boost Morale

It’s no secret that dogs can make us happy, but we are probably unaware that office dogs can significantly lower our stress. Even by looking over at a dog, we can increase our levels of oxytocin, which is known as the “feel good” hormone. In a scientific study of 76 employees, those who were not around a dog during the workday reported drastically higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol by the end of the workday.

#2: Improve Team Culture

Having a dog around the office can promote a calming and friendly atmosphere, which is especially important for team work. A 2010 Central Michigan University experiment found that paired groups with a dog in the room rated their colleagues significantly higher in trust, team cohesion, and intimacy. Dogs are a great conversation starter and can naturally build camaraderie.

#3: Increase productivity

While having a dog around the office sounds like fun, many might question whether it would be a source of distraction. According to a 2008 survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, companies that allow pets in the workplace not only have employees who are more willing to work longer hours, but also a lower rate of employee absenteeism.

Does your company have a favorite office pet? We would love to hear about him/her!

Sources:

http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/23/business/office-dogs-stress/

http://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/care/benefits-of-pets-in-workplace