Wilton Company Celebrates Bringing Dogs to Work Every Day

Dog lovers across the country will be celebrating “Bring your Dog to Work Day” Friday, sharing their offices with their canine companions.

But, for one local company, every day is bring your dog to work day: At the Wilton headquarters of Canine Company, the at-home pet services provider, you’ll find dogs everywhere: playing ball in the hallways, snoozing under desks and conference tables and chasing each other up and down the stairs.

It’s obvious that their antics entertain the staff and help relieve stress. But, according to research by Virginia Commonwealth University and published in the International Journal of Workplace Management, having dogs in the office also boosts job satisfaction and even improves productivity.

“Our dogs love coming to work with us as much as we love having them here,” says Canine Company CEO Jennifer Hill. “They enjoy playing with each other and we enjoy watching them! Their presence in our offices and conference rooms through out the day makes everyone happy.”

Of course, the people at Canine Company are all dog lovers or they wouldn’t have chosen a career in pet care. At other companies, bringing a dog into the workplace requires thought and preparation. Co-workers’ needs and concerns must be considered; if a colleague has severe allergies or an overwhelming fear of dogs, dog day at the office is not a good idea.

And, not every dog is a candidate for a day at the office,” says Hill. A dog must be friendly and relaxed around people and other dogs, reliably house-trained and at ease in new settings to have a successful day at work.

For dogs who meet those requirements, she adds, try to keep it a short day. Don’t forget to bring a pet gate to confine him to the office, if necessary; a water bowl and treats, plus a plastic mat for under the bowl (to prevent carpet stains); and plastic bags for cleaning up -- just in case there’s an accident.

With a little planning, the day can be a success for everyone involved. For more information on dog behavior, visit www.caninecompany.com or call 800-818-DOGS (3647).

_ _ _

In the photos: Canine Company CEO Jennifer Hill gets a visit from employees’ dogs. Dogs at play in the hallways and offices at Canine Company in Wilton.