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Dogs in the workplace

By Linda

We investigate the very cute topic of dogs in the workplace.

Photo of a dog dressed like an office worker.

One of the benefits of working from home more in the last two years has been the company of the four-legged family members. They’ve been introduced in online meetings, lain at our feet while we worked (or walked across the keyboard), and generally provided companionship (although most lack witty conversation and the ability to make coffee).

Now, research is increasingly pointing to a pet in the workplace as being good for lowering stress whilst increasing productivity levels.

In recent years throughout New Zealand, pet therapy has been introduced for university students at exam time; aged care facilities host animal visitors on a regular basis, and some libraries have established a “reading to dogs/kurī” programme. Following the abrupt closure of Wellington Central Library in 2019, a visit from the SPCA puppy programme once staff were back in their new workspace did wonders to lift morale.

A workplace dog is different from an assist dog for those who may be hearing or sight impaired. Those are working dogs and have rights to travel on public transport and enter any premise a person does.

In the USA and UK many workplaces are finding employees, returning after extended periods of time working from home, are requesting their pets, usually dogs, accompany them into the workspace. As employers and staff negotiate the working conditions of this ‘new normal’ some workplaces have been prepared to welcome dogs along with returning employees.

However, becoming a pet-friendly workplace is not without issue. In this blog I talk to some Wellington businesses who either have a dog in the workplace or have trialled it.

Dr Louise Blair, Chiropractor, from Back to Living Chiropractic was one who found that the 'romanticism' of having a dog in a therapeutic role in the workplace didn't quite match the reality.

Louise initially introduced Griff, a young hunterway-cross, into her practice, when, going through house renovations, she found Griff wasn't happy at doggy-day care.

Although his presence was loved by staff and appreciated by many clients, including some who requested consultations on the days he was in the office, Louise found Griff didn't define his territory the same way humans did:

...unknown to us, he'd decided that the whole floor was his territory. One day he heard the lifts, partway down the corridor, click as the door opened. Griff got up, used his paw to open our office door and hurtled down the corridor barking at full volume to confront a patient of our dentist neighbour. Oops.

I then read my lease, saw that animals weren't allowed, wrote an apology letter to all the other tenants, and booked a reluctant dog into daycare.

On the plus side having Griff in the office meant Louise needed to take scheduled breaks and spent her lunchtime, in all weathers, exploring nearby Boulton Street cemetery with Griff.

As Louise found out, not all landlords are open to having animals on the premises. Parliament however would be one of Wellington's most dog friendly workspaces.

This is appreciated by Labour MP for Wairarapa and newly appointed Minister for Emergency Management and Minister for Racing, Hon Kieran McAnulty.

Kieran has been bringing Zoi, his 2 year old retired, rehomed greyhound to his Parliamentary offices since he got her earlier this year. He has noticed the impact on the wellbeing to Parliamentary staff as they drop by to pat Zoi, offer to take her out for a walk or just have some doggy cuddles.

Zoi relaxing in her ministerial offices on a picnic blanket.

Zoi relaxing in her ministerial offices.

Most of the time Zoi snoozes quietly on her bed in a corner of the Ministerial offices and her presence is appreciated by staff. However, Kieran emphasises that bringing a dog into the office is something that should be considered by responsible owners. Says Kieran:

It's a big responsibility owning a dog, and you need to be responsible bringing them to work ... Anybody that comes to my office for a meeting, I always check if they are comfortable with dogs.

Have a listen below to learn more about Kieran and Zoi's experiences in Parliament:

Parliamentary offices, like most office spaces, are closed to the public. Is it possible to successfully incorporate a dog into a retail space? At Juliette Florist, owner Karen Pearce has been bringing her 6-year-old Golden Labrador, Hank, to work for three and a half years with her landlord's approval. Although Hank has inadvertently escaped the shop, Karen feels that with age and training Hank is now happy to remain happily on his bed in the window of the shop and watch the world go by.

Although there has been the rare customer who has refused to enter the shop when realising a dog is present, overall Karen feels Hank's presence brings: "Enormous amounts of joy" to the work place and staff "love having him around". Pedestrians will often come in to take photos and get some doggy love when passing by the Willis Street store.

When asked what advice she would give someone thinking about introducing a dog into a retail space, Karen believes that the key lies with the personality and temperament of the particular dog, along with possibly the dog's maturity and training being factors to making it a success.

Hank in the window of Juliette Florist (credit: Karen Pearce)

Hank in the window of Juliette Florist (credit: Karen Pearce)

As our chats have shown there are a number of things that need to be considered in order to successfully bring dogs into the work space:

  1. Does your lease permit animals?
  2. Take staff concerns seriously. Some may be allergen prone, others may have phobias or trauma relating to past encounters with animals. There may also be religious objections to sharing a workspace with a dog.
  3. The temperament of the animal. Workplace dogs need to be placid and easy going.
  4. Security of the space the dog will be in.

Back to Louise:

Read your lease and make sure your dog can't open the door handles if you have shared spaces. If my lease allowed for it, I'd bring him in still, as there's a reason why “Therapy Dogs” are a thing.

If you do proceed with allowing dogs into the work place there needs to be guidelines regarding care of both the animal and co-workers during the working day:

  1. Will the dog be confined in one space or will it be allowed to roam?
  2. Instigate dog free spaces such as the kitchen.
  3. Consider safety hazards – if you need to evacuate the building from the 10th floor will the dog be a hazard on the fire escape?
  4. Will you have one dog at a time or a mix of dogs? Will that cause problems?
  5. Is the owner aware of their need to accept responsibility for the dog's care and behaviour (this includes making sure it is taken outside for appropriate breaks and any 'accidents' are promptly cleaned up).

The dog's welfare needs to also be taken into consideration:

  1. Make sure the dog has a secure, safe space.
  2. Bring bedding, treats and snacks, water bowls and toys (and cleaning products if necessary)
  3. Test the dogs response to the workplace by introducing for short periods of time at first
  4. Advise colleagues about feeding, patting or how to interpret the dogs behaviour

Last word to Kieran:

You want to … come up with a criteria that people are happy with but if you can go through that and people are keen for their workplace to be dog friendly, I would strongly encourage it. Just having a dog around makes a big difference to your outlook. It makes a big difference to a lot of people's mental wellbeing.

If you'd like to read further on the benefits of, and tips for successfully introducing dogs in the workspace here's a curated list of articles that might help.: