Bringing dogs to work is an emerging social phenomenon, and now there’s even a day to celebrate it: Friday, June 24, is the second annual Take Your Dog to Work Day®,” created by Pet Sitters International. It’s yet another manifestation of how dogs have infiltrated and enlivened just about every aspect of our lives–and it’s all to the good. 

HSUS office dogs (from left to right) Teddy, Charley & Bella

For HSUS, it’s been an everyday occurrence, given that we’ve had a dogs-in-the-office policy for a number of years. And for companies thinking about this workplace benefit for dogs and people, there’s no better guide or resource than Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces, which was co-authored by our own Jennifer Fearing.

Dogs at work policies can be beneficial to employees and their canine companions as well as the company’s bottom line. Some 60 dogs come to work every day at The HSUS’s offices, and it’s one of the most popular benefits we have.

We’re glad to see this trend emerge, and it’s one we encourage. It’s an antidote to the loneliness dogs feel during the day when we’re gone, and it’s produces healthier, happier, and harder-working employees.  It’s just another small component of the new, humane economy we're working to build.