CAI-NJ Aug. 2019(w)

Why Have Your Dog at Work? By Mary Faith Nugiel, PCAM, ARM, CPM, RCP Management, AAMC, AMO

W hen you get

But, it can’t be just any dog. As with everything, there should be rules and expectations. Having a dog at work must be a positive experience for both the employees and the dog. The owner of the dog should sign a waiver stating that they understand the rules and regulations, will abide by them, and will take all respon- sibility for their dog’s actions. Once you have this, the next step is to lock down the basics: The dog should be groomed and cleaned regularly and not smell like a wet dog! Make sure that the dog is healthy and up to date on shots and poses no risk of nipping or biting. At the first sign of aggression, the dog should be removed and not allowed back in the office. Employees should not be allowed to tease the dog in anyway. There should be a complete atmosphere of trust between employees and the office dog. The dog should be trained not to jump or run around the office. Playing is ok, but under controlled circumstances. Food is always an issue. The dog should be trained not to steal food from an employee’s desk. Remember, the dog is there to relieve stress, not create it! No one should worry that their bag of chips will be gone when they return CONT I NU E S ON PAGE 38

home from work, the first thing you

see is your happy pooch waiting to greet you with a happy smile, wagging tail and lots of licks. It will immediately calm you down and remove your stress. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have that feeling all day long at work? Well, you can if your company progressively recognizes the value that a dog can have in the workplace. Let’s face it, our industry is constantly recognized as one of the most stressful around. We all want to create a lower-stress workplace. When a co-worker brings in a new baby, it has an immediate calming effect on the entire office. All employ- ees, men and women alike, stop work for a few minutes and coo over the cute new bundle of joy. Petting a dog can have the same reaction. Studies show that petting a dog provides an instant dose of feel-good dopamine. Then when your attention turns back to work, you’re more focused and have a clearer head. It is so much better to tackle the workload on your desk after a feel-good moment with a dog. You will also be more creative and work better with your team. All around better stuff!

© iStockphoto.com

36

A U G U S T , 2 0 1 9