Who Let the Dogs In?

The benefits of bringing (well-mannered) dogs to work are not far-fetched. [sic]. YellowHouse is in good company with a pet friendly office policy. Leading companies like Amazon, Ben & Jerry’s and our client, Google are all known for their pooch-loving workplaces.

If you’re not a dog person we know what you’re thinking. But bear with us, there are actually some pretty compelling reasons to bridge the canine-human gap in the workplace (and no, it’s not just because there is a dog sitting beside me as I write this at my desk). Just to prove it, here are our top 5, (somewhat) science-based reasons why we love our dog-friendly office.

1) Improved work-life balance.

It’s been said once or twice that dog people are a tad bit ‘fanatical’. Okay, let’s admit it, dog people absolutely LOVE dogs. We want to shower them with affection and give them the best life possible, which can be difficult in the demanding industries that many of us thrive in. BUT when you can rock a project while spending time with your pooch, that’s a win-win. Increased time at work to meet a deadline isn’t so bad when you have one of the best parts of your personal life at your side.

2) Closer relationships between the humans.

Coworkers are more likely to stop by one another’s desks and even strike up conversations when there is an adorable reason to spend some time. When coworkers are friendly and communicative, they are likely to be more collaborative.

3) Stress Relief.

This one is actually two-fold. It has been proven that employees who leave their dogs at home experience higher stress levels throughout the day than their pooch bearing counterparts. They worry about the pet’s well-being and all of the pet-related tasks that await their return home. Non-dog owning employees tend to take short breaks to play with the dog or walk it. These breaks from the computer screen, however short, can provide the perfect opportunity to recharge and reinvent.

4) Increased Productivity.

Beyond reasons like not having to rush home to walk the dog and not having to experience stress from being away from your pet after a long day, there is one simple guiding principle behind this one; a happy employee is a productive employee. Cute, furry faces make people happy, it’s just that simple.

5) All that love tho.

The last and perhaps the best reason to opt for a dog-friendly environment is that dogs are (generally) an endless source of love and affection. Our office mascot, in particular, has an endless amount of love to give. Dogs spin around, wag their tails, give kisses and curl up at your feet. With all that love coming your way, it’s hard to avoid walking around with a big smile on your face in the workplace.