Home » On Friday, take your dog to work! (… but ask your boss first)

On Friday, take your dog to work! (… but ask your boss first)

Daniel Bouwmeester    June 22, 2023    2 min read   
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One of the RSPCA office’s foster dogs getting some love.

Friday, June 23, is Take Your Dog to Work Day, which aims to celebrate the love and friendship that dogs provide and to encourage adoption.

RSPCA Queensland said pet ownership comes with many health benefits, and a dog in the office for a day can also help create a positive working environment.

“Having pets in the office, or when you work from home, can really help when you’ve had a stressful day or just need a break,” said RSPCA spokesperson Emma Lagoon.

RSPCA said pet visits in the workplace can boost employee morale, productivity, encourage healthy habits, creativity and team bonding.

Tips for a smooth doggy day in the workplace:

Coco in the office with RSPCA staff Ashleigh Snow.
  1. Your dog should be socialised with other dogs and people.
  2. Check that no one at your workplace is allergic to dogs and discuss with them if bringing your dog to work would adversely impact their health.
  3. Some work environments may not be appropriate or safe for dogs – check first!
  4. Don’t forget to pack your companion’s essentials for a day out – bedding, water, treats, poop bags etc. More tips here.

If you’re planning on taking your dog into the workplace, why not ask your company to fundraise for the day with a donation to RSPCA to help other pets waiting for a home?

And if you need to convince your boss, RSPCA Queensland has created a letter template on their website you can use to encourage your workplace to get involved this Friday.

Take Your Dog to Work Day is an initiative of Pet Sitters International.

Daniel Bouwmeester

Daniel was born in a mining town in New South Wales to Dutch and Welsh immigrants, before relocating to Logan City, where he attended Canterbury College for twelve years. He pursued his passion for music by completing a first-class honours degree at the University of Queensland (UQ), and later signed with a local record label. He has travelled the world from a young age, including a student exchange in rural France, a job working the ski lifts in Colorado, and visits to the islands of the South Pacific. After a six-year career in market research, Daniel returned to UQ to complete a Bachelor of Journalism and Arts dual degree, majoring in political science. His varied experiences at home and abroad have contributed to a passion for spreading good news while defending the truth buried inside complex societal paradigms.