Andrea Rosebrock 
This year the annual Take Your Dog to Work Day is Friday, June 26. Take Your Dog to Work Day® (TYDTWD) was first celebrated in 1999 by Pet Sitters International to celebrate the great companions dogs. This annual event encourages employers to experience the value of pets in the workplace, even if just for one day! Ultimately, it’s about encouraging pet adoptions from shelters, humane societies and rescue groups.
Statistics show that 1 in 5 American companies allow employees to bring their pets to work with them to the mutual benefit of company and employee. This trend has shown increased moral, decreased absenteeism, increased employee moral and productivity, a higher level of creativity and even increased sales. We know that pets are beneficial to the health in a number of ways; lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, decreased stress level, just to name a few, so who loses here. Looks like a win-win situation.
Of course this is not feasible for everyone everywhere but how wonderful for those that can. Are you one of the lucky ones? Can you take your dog to work with you on a daily basis or at least on TYDTWD?
What can you do if TYTWD is a no-go where you work? How about taking a picture of your dog to work with you. Ask if your company will sponsor an after-hours employee-pet event.
“Take Your dog to Work Day” can also be great PR for a company! Announce it to the local media. Charge a small donation for employees to bring their dogs and donate it all to the local animal shelter or humane society. Take pictures of the employees and pets and post them on the company website.
If your company plans on doing TYDTWD, take a moments to register with Pet Sitters International, PSI and learn about licensing and sponsorship opportunities. You can also win some great prizes.
Download the TYDTWD Guide, filled with information FAQs, helpful hints and more! TYDTWD Guide – Just right-click and save to your computer
Here’s some great tips from Pet Sitters International to prepare and have a great TYDTWD for you, your pooch and your co-workers;
1) Do an office check
Check with management and co-workers to see if anyone is allergic, afraid of or opposed to you bringing your dog to work for this one special day.
2) Puppy-proof your work space.
Remove poisonous plants, hide electrical cords and wires and secure toxic items such as correction fluid, permanent markers, etc. Any office items in question should be placed out of your dog’s reach.
3) Bathe and groom your dog before its office debut.
Be sure its shots are up-to-date. If your dog appears sick, don’t bring it to the office. Dogs that are aggressive or overly shy should not accompany you to work. Instead, consider bringing a favorite picture of your pooch.
4) Prepare a doggie bag.
Include food, treats, bowls, toys, leash, paper towels, clean-up bags and pet-safe disinfectant (just in case). If you are routinely in and out of your work space, consider bringing a portable kennel for your dog’s comfort and your peace of mind.
5) Plan your pet’s feeding times carefully.
Be sure to choose an appropriate area for your dog to relieve himself afterward.
6) Avoid forcing co-workers to interact with your dog.
Dog lovers will make themselves known. To avoid pet accidents, monitor the amount of treats your pet is being given. Remember that chocolate, candy and other people food should not be shared with dogs.
7) Have an exit strategy.
Although most dogs enjoy TYDTWDay, your pet may not. Should your dog become overly boisterous, agitated or withdrawn, consider taking him or her home. Most companies allow for this on TYDTWDay. Never, under any circumstance, leave your pet alone in a vehicle while you work.
Top 10 Things to Say to Convince Your Boss to Take Part in TYDTWD
10. The squirrels in the neighborhood deserve a break.
9. Wagging tails work great when the a/c is on the fritz.
8. With a dog as your passenger, you’ll be able to use the car pool lane.
7. It’s a great way to lick the work day blahs!
6. My dog thinks you’re grrrrrrreat!
5. Meetings end as soon as Rover starts staring at the conference room door.
4. You can blame those missing reports on one of your employees’ dogs.
3. It’s the leash you can do.
2. Finally, someone at your office will actually be working like a dog.
AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON TO TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK…
1. Friday, June 26, is Take Your Dog To Work Day®!
Hi group sounds like a great program and a nice way to raise some money for the doggies in need ….jeffrey
Well, TYDTW is a common thing for my husband and I. Three days a week, we bring one of our boys down to work with us. It is great when my husband is on the truck, as each of the boys loves to “go for a ride” and visit with all the customers. When they are in the office, they each have their own spot to lay down, treats are always at work, and they know where their water bowl is kept. I do notice that there is hardly any tension at work they days they are down there. Max, the socialite, will go by everyone’s desk, and make himself known that he wants some attention, Buddy, Mr. “whatever” lays down right in the middle of the pathway from office to office and watches, where Knight is the protector, as when someone comes to the door to pay a bill or pick something up, he will be the first to bark, and “don’t get too close to my mommy” attitude. I think this is great, and for those businesses that dogs would not be allowed (food service), yes, this is a fabulous way to raise monies for the needs of the dogs who are less fortunate than our own.
I have pictures of my boy all over my office. However, my 100 pound big-white-fluffy calamity is better off in doggie day care. He would bark at the lawyers next door, jump the UPS man, pee on the server, and run amok in the senator’s office across the hall.
I’ve never had the pleasure of a job that allows pets. Public jobs, food service jobs. I have always been envious of those that can take their pups to work with them. I also enjoy going to a business that has a dog or two in there. Brings a smile to my face every time……no matter my mood. Makes paying that bill a bit more pleasent….LOL