A guest post from Indiana Lee.

On a regular number of occasions, say one or two times a month, I receive an email from someone wanting to write a guest post. Ninety-five percent of them are hoping I won’t check and will agree because they are really trying to promote some business or other.

Indiana was different.

A month ago I received this:

Hello, 

My name is Indiana, and I would love to become a regular contributor to the Learning From Dogs articles. In my past few years as a freelancer, I’ve crafted articles about what herbal tea can do for your pets, and I think my take on how animals can teach us how to live life to the fullest would be a great addition to the voices on your blog.

Are you accepting pitches and/or articles from new contributors?

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Indiana

I gladly accepted and on Tuesday was sent the following guest post.

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Psychological Benefits of Bringing Your Dog to Work

There’s no denying the mental health benefits of owning a dog. They reduce stress, boost your mood, and can even help to manage your anxiety. Even just petting a dog has rewarding mental health benefits. 

Another perk of pet ownership is the lack of loneliness. Dogs are called “man’s best friend” for a reason. Their presence can make a big difference in your life, especially if you’re otherwise fairly isolated. 

The psychological benefits of owning a dog can go far beyond your home life. Bringing your four-legged friend to work can ease your mind, boost your productivity, and encourage a positive, calm environment in your office.  

Need more of a reason to get them excited about a car ride to work? Let’s cover some of the psychological benefits.

The Positivity of a Pet in a Post-Pandemic World

Your dog may have had your attention all day over the last year or so as more people worked from home. You probably got used to feeling more relaxed with them around. Thankfully, you’re not the only one. As a result, it’s expected that more offices across the country will be more pet-friendly as people return to an in-person work environment. Not only do employers want to keep their workers happy, but more people are starting to recognize the benefits of dogs in the office, including:  

• Reduced stress
• Improved productivity
• Boosted morale
• A decrease in employee turnover

Having dogs around can also help people who might be struggling with social anxiety, especially because of the pandemic. A pet-friendly environment will encourage people to open up and work together. Team-building and collaborative efforts will increase, which can boost business while improving overall communication in the workplace. 

Let’s face it, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident with your four-legged friend by your side. While their presence can already help with loneliness, they can also give you the courage and confidence to approach and work with others. 

Considerations for Dogs in the Workplace

If your employer allows pets at work, you might be tempted to pack Fido’s favorite squeaky toy and bring them in tomorrow. But, there are a few tips to keep in mind to make the experience beneficial for all involved. 

First, make sure your dog maintains good hygiene. Your dog should be clean, groomed, and free from ticks, fleas, or other potential contagions that could affect people or other pets. It’s also a good idea to make sure their vaccinations are all up-to-date, and they have a clean bill of health. An employer that encourages a pet-friendly environment might also be willing to provide pet insurance. Doing so will cover common dog conditions like: 

• Parvo
• Bite wounds
• Fracture
• Lacerations
• Poisoning

Consider talking to your employer about the possibility of pet insurance. It can be used as a strong incentive to attract new employees and increase worker loyalty. If you’re an employer reading this, it’s worth looking into for those who treat their dogs like furry family members. 

Finally, if your dog is healthy and well-behaved, introduce them to both people and other pets slowly. Even the most well-behaved dogs can have an “off” day or be triggered by something unexpected.  The more comfortable and familiar they become in their surroundings at work, the less stressed you’ll both be. 

Eventually, going to work together can become a part of your daily routine. 

If you’ve gotten used to being around your dog every day while you work, that doesn’t necessarily have to change. Inquire whether your office is jumping on the beneficial trend of becoming pet-friendly. If they are, go at your own pace with your pet, and bring them in when you’re ready to experience the benefits they can provide every day.

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Of course I imagine that there are many other insurance companies that offer pet insurance as well as MetLife that the link took you to.

But for those that are working and want to stay close to their dog then this has many good points.

Thank you, Indiana!