Allowing dogs in the workplace has a number of benefits

ABC NEWS (Australia)

It's probably every dog owner's dream, taking their pooch to work every day. At one Tasmanian business, that dream is a reality. And it appears welcoming four- legged friends into the office has a number of benefits.

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00:00Shannie Hutchinson doesn't have to leave her dog Essie at home when she goes to work.

00:07Her employer, insurer RACT, has allowed dogs in its Hobart office for several years.

00:13Seeing everyone's faces light up when the dog walks around the call centre and they

00:16can all reach out and give her a little patch and it clearly makes people's day.

00:20At first, dogs were only allowed in the office on Fridays, but now they are welcome every

00:25day.

00:26She's been my best friend in here with me and not having to leave her home whilst I'm

00:32at work, it's just calming and makes everyone happy.

00:36I'm quite new to RACT as well so it means I'm meeting people so they come in to see

00:40her and I get to chat to people so it's really good.

00:43It's the best, the smiles, the cuddles, the licks, the pats, it's awesome.

00:47There's a roster to limit the number of dogs on each floor on any given day and the dogs

00:52have their own ID cards.

00:53As an employer we're really focused on employee wellbeing, employee engagement and we just

00:58saw this as a great thing to try and see how it went and it went absolutely gangbusters.

01:03Dogs just have this wonderful way of breaking down barriers.

01:06I think it's a positive effect all around, for me and for Billy.

01:11Companion Animal Network Australia is on a mission to help get more pets into more workplaces.

01:17It's proven that it decreases stress in the workplace, increases productivity, that retains

01:23staff, it brings joy to the staff, it causes a greater collaborative working space for people.

01:30For our contact centre, they can be dealing with a number of stressful situations so we've

01:36also seen that dogs in the office has had a soothing and a calming effect in some of

01:42those stressful situations.

01:44Unfortunately, not every pet is suitable for workplaces.

01:48Rabbits, for example, are prone to chewing on cords and can cause some serious damage

01:53and not every workplace is suitable for pets.

01:57If you work in a kitchen or around chemicals, it's probably for the best that you leave

02:01your furry friend at home.

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