Pets at work decrease employee stress

Stress has been known to be a major contributor to employee absenteeism. Low morale and burnout result in a decrease in employee productivity, negatively affecting the company. New research has shown that taking dogs to work can reduce stress and benefit all employees.

The study, conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University, compared employees who bring their dogs to work, employees who don’t bring their dogs to work and employees with no pets.

The results showed that dogs in the workplace did have a positive impact on employee stress levels and overall job satisfaction.

“Dogs in the workplace can make a positive difference. The differences in perceived stress between days the dog was present and absent were significant. The employees as a whole had a higher job satisfaction than industry norms,” said principal investigator Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D.

Are pets good for our health?

There are conflicting reports on whether pet ownership improves well-being or not. Some scientists say that having a pet at home decreases stress levels, lowers blood pressure and reduces occurrences of depression.

Other studies suggest pet owners are no better off, health wise, than non-pet owners, in fact they could worse off.

Can I take my pet abroad?

A pet is often considered a member of the family. When you are relocating abroad it can be a hard decision whether to take your pet or leave them at home. The rules on pet transport depend on the country you are travelling from and your destination.

• Pets can enter the UK from anywhere in the world providing they meet conditions of the PETS Scheme.
• For entry into the UAE owners need to provide a vaccination and good health certificate for their pet and ensure they are microchipped.
• Cats and dogs can be brought to Australia providing they meet the requirements of the Australia Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
• For entry into EU and EEA countries the rules vary between just needing a rabies vaccination certificate to requiring a pet passport, anti-tapeworm and anti-tick treatment. See the European Commission website for more information on moving with pets.