Companies are embracing bringing your dog to work

Wouldn&rsquo-t it be nice if while driving to work your dog was at your side? Wouldn&rsquo-t it be great that while heading to the water cooler you saw a dog bowl there too? Seems to me that the office environment would be a nicer place if dogs and other pets were allowed in. Apparently more and more companies are starting to feel the same way.

According to a 2011-12 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 3 percent of U.S. dog owners can bring their dogs to work with them. That may not sound like much but consider that&rsquo-s triple the number from five years ago. And if you need further proof of influence, mammoth companies like Amazon, Google, and even Congress are starting to adopt dog-friendly policies.

&ldquo-It definitely changes the tone of the workplace,&rdquo- said Becca Arneson, who works for Urban Outfitters, a subsidiary of URBN, alongside Shi-Tzu Rooney. &ldquo-People just seem to feel happier as a result. It&rsquo-s really nice. It adds to the sort of chemistry around the campus.”

According to a study done in 2012, having a dog at work could reduce stress and improve employee satisfaction. Despite some dogs being allowed in offices there are pretty strict rules however. Barking must be curbed and for the majority of the time dogs need to be leashed.

At least it&rsquo-s a start!