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As someone with experience working in the pet care industry, I’ve seen first-hand how difficult it is to own a dog while being a high-functioning member of the workforce.

We work long hours and are constantly busy, jumping from one project to the next with few breaks in between.

Dogs are major time commitments, demanding attention, exercise, and bathroom breaks…it’s nearly impossible to provide your best friend with the care they really need when they’re home alone all day.

Dog walking apps like Wag! and Rover have become hugely popular as hard-working pet parents continue to prioritize their dog’s care while they’re away from home – but it can be costly. Doggie daycare is also an option – but comes with its own risks and financial pain points.

No one wants to sacrifice the joy of sharing their lives with a furry sidekick simply because of what they do for a living!

For our CEO, Neal Morris, there was never a doubt that Upstream would be dog-friendly. He built this business with his own loyal companion, Chica, by his side.

Fortunately, more and more workplaces around the country are opening their doors to canine cohorts. It’s becoming a commonplace perk, with major benefits to both employer and employee.

Why It’s Great For Employers

With dogs in approximately 36% of North American homes, it’s easy to see why employers are clamoring to make their offices dog-friendly in today’s competitive job market. 70% of millennials even say they “would be willing to take a pay cut if they could bring their pet to work very day.” Offers that include this benefit have an attractive edge to a sizeable chunk of any talent pool.

As an employer, letting your staff bring their furry sidekicks to work gives them an extremely valuable and convenient way to balance their work and home lives. You are basically telling your current and future employees that you care about what’s important to them, which goes a long way in maintaining strong, positive relationships over time – and that’s great for retention.

Why It’s Great For Employees

As an employee, your mind is free to focus on your work when you can see your happy and healthy pup right in front of you.

You don’t need to constantly worry about finding a few minutes to run home and let your dog out – or hope that your dog walker remembers to stop by. This peace of mind boosts morale, reduces stress, and overall makes for a better day at the office.

Did you have a rough meeting? Give your best friend a belly rub, take him on a short walk, and get back to the task at hand feeling better than before. The emotional comfort and support eases mental strain on you as an employee while strengthening the relationship between yourself and your dog.

Take Lily, for example. This sweet pudge monster is a brand new addition to the family of our Executive Director of Client Development, Kev Ungi. Because she can come to Upstream, Kev can help her adjust to her new life without skipping a beat at work.

It’s Not Fur Everyone

Of course, you have to know your dog’s own personality and limits before making the decision to bring him with you.

If your dog doesn’t like strangers, noise, or other pups, then it’s not a good idea. If Buddy loves to hear himself bark, or rough-house with others, or isn’t fully potty-trained…then a professional office may not be the place for him.

It’s also important to be respectful and mindful if some of your coworkers have allergies, or if important clients will be in the building that day.

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In my opinion, dog friendly offices are almost too good to be true. Just this morning, I got showered in kisses from a spunky Boston Terrier – tell me that’s not better than coffee!