Pets are part of the family, and for one Friday each year, they are also part of the workforce thanks to our friends at Pet Sitters International®.  I feel privileged in that I get to do this everyday, but Friday, June 23rd, 2023 marks PSI’s 25th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day®!  Besides the grrreat fun all of us pet lovers can imagine with your best pal by your side as you work the day away, this event is an awesome way for non-pet owners to witness the special bond their co-workers have with their pets firsthand and be encouraged to adopt a new buddy of their own.

Since creating the event in 1999, PSI has encouraged employers across the United States—and around the globe—to open their doors to employees’ dogs for one day each year to celebrate our canine companions and promote adoptions. PSI offers a free downloadable event toolkit  that provides instructions for planning a TYDTWDay event, as well as employee participation forms and a sample “dogs at work” policy.

When PSI created Take Your Dog To Work Day® , PSI Founder & CEO, Patti J. Moran said the day was initially met with skepticism. “We called businesses, faxed media outlets and promoted the event to everyone we could think of.  We estimate 300 businesses participated that first year, but now we are honored to see thousands of participants flood social media with their photos on Take Your Dog To Work Day each year, and we expect participation to grow for our 25th celebration.

“While TYDTWDay offers a fun opportunity to have dogs at work, its purpose has always been to encourage pet adoptions,” explains Beth Stultz-Hairston, PSI President. “We hear from participating companies that partner with local shelters or rescue groups to allow them to bring in adoptable pets, host benefit luncheons or charity auctions, or plan contests such as dog-owner lookalike competitions to raise money for local pet-related organizations.  PSI also encourages participating businesses to partner with local professional pet sitters and dog walkers to learn more about pet-care options for their employees on days their pets can’t come to work,” explains Stultz-Hairston.

Personally, I feel it’s awesome when pets and people co-exist.  You may have heard me speak of Zooeyia, the wellness and positive health attributes we receive from having animals in our lives.  Court rooms, schools (particularly at exam time and following stressful events), hospitals and airports have all recognized the calming benefits animals have on humans, and PSI has created a way to achieve those results in the workplace too.  As The Pet Safety Crusader™ though, I’m going to want you to ensure it is bow wow wondeRUFFul for canine, feline and human alike.  PLEASE brush up on your pet first aid skills and heed these 7 Tips to make sure the day is a safe and happy success:

 

 

 

  1. Do an office check. Be sure management and co-workers are on board and that no one is allergic, afraid or opposed in any way.  If so, figure out an alternate plan.
  2. Puppy-proof your work space. Get down on all fours to make sure your pooch won’t munch on toxic plants, get entangled in electric cords and that office supplies are out of paws reach.  Also be sure that your office hasn’t been recently sprayed with anything harmful to your best pal.
  3. Make sure Fido is fit for work. Vaccines – check. Bath – check. Manners – check. Don’t set your pooch up for disaster or ruin this event for others in the future. It is pawmazing when we get to do something special with our dogs, but remember…they are an ambassador for the cause, so only take dogs that are well socialized and comfortable in any situation they might encounter going to or while at your office.
  4. Prepare a doggie bag. Food, treats, clean-up items & pet first-aid kit (just in case), properly fitting harness & leash, maybe even a doggie gate or portable kennel.  Even the best behaved dogs need a time out.
  5. Plan feeding times carefully. When food goes in, other stuff comes out, so make sure you will have the time to feed him on schedule but also allow him to answer nature’s call.
  6. Avoid forcing co-workers to interact with your dog. Of course no one can resist that adorable fluffy face.  They just want to baby talk, cuddle and love on your dog. NOT!  There may be some co-workers who are afraid, a little on the sneezy-side or just not interested, believe it or not!  Stay vigilant however, to those who do meet your pooch to make sure they don’t unknowingly offer him chocolate, candy or other people food.
  7. Have an exit strategy. Sometimes looking at life from a shin or knee-perspective can become overwhelming.  Your dog is your family member, and although work is important, you must have a plan if spending the entire day at your office is not sitting well with your pooch.  Can you be allowed time to drive him home?  Do you have a professional pet sitter on standby?  Don’t be caught unprepared.

For companies unable to participate on Friday—or those who want to involve other species—the entire week (June 19 – 23) leading up to Take Your Dog To Work Day is Take Your Pet To Work Week®, which kicks off with Take Your Cat To Work Day™ on Monday, June 19

If your company is participating and would like PSI to share your good times with media contacts seeking local participants, complete a short form on their website. “This special day continues to highlight the joy of pet ownership and the importance of pet adoption, and we can’t wait to see all the creative ways that companies will be ‘working with a dog’ on June 23,” Moran says.

To learn more about PSI and its 25th annual TYDTWD, visit http://www.petsit.com/takeyourdog.

Catch my VIDEO VLOG on this topic at:  https://youtu.be/-TIX_xGl1tM