If you’re a dog owner—or just love other people’s dogs—you probably get why having a dog curled at your feet while you work is pretty amazing. At Rover, headquartered in Seattle, that’s an everyday happening. We bring our best friends to the office—and we’re also the largest network of pet sitters in the country. Every day, we have at least 30 dogs here with us. We bring them to meetings and rock dog hair on our jeans—we even had a holiday photo shoot where we put our dogs in festive sweaters and posted them on our blog. Our dogs inspire us to do our best work (and to laugh at ourselves every once in awhile). But you don’t have to take our word for it: Here’s the science behind why working with dogs is good for your mental, physical, and emotional health.
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Dog-friendly workplaces are good for your mental health
Research from the International Journal of Workplace Health Management showed that people experienced significantly lowered stress levels when they were allowed to bring dogs to work (source). Seriously, how stressed can you be with a dog (or three) clamoring to snuggle with you?
They improve your relationships and social life
Spending time with pets increases your level of the hormone oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone.” In a study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, head researcher Mary Wells noted that having a dog “facilitate[s] the development of social contacts, which may enhance both physiological and psychological human health” (source). In order words, working with dogs is good for your career: If you’re feeling good, you’ll more likely to enjoy work—and personal and professional success.
They allow you to enjoy dogs without owning one
Dogs’ goofy expressions, willingness to do anything for treats, and tails powered by motors of their own all make them pretty entertaining companions—and you don’t have to owe a dog to get your fair share of enjoyment. If you’re not ready or interested in owning a pet, you can reap the rewards of spending time with your coworkers’ dogs.
They’re better than vegetables
Well, sort of. According to the American Heart Association, having a dog can help lower your risk of heart disease. You’re also more likely to be active (all those walks, even on the days with that wet stuff is falling from the sky), and physical activity is the best thing for your heart. Regular dog walks may improve your muscle tone and flexibility, too. Studies have shown that pet parents who regularly walk their dogs get more exercise per week than non-dog-people. As a non-dog owner, you can enjoy some of these benefits too if you regularly tag along on walks.
Dog-friendly workplaces are better for dogs too
At their core, dogs are social animals: They crave quality time with humans (source). Taking your best friend to work every day brings out the best in you, and it often does for your dog too. Of course, if you don’t have a dog, you can help other dog owners create a happy environment for their dog—just by being there.
Ready to work with dogs all day?
We’re not the only dog-friendly office, but at Rover, dogs are at the center of all we do. We bring our dogs to meetings, throw parties with human and dog treats, and are down for dog snuggle time, any time. Best of all, we practice what we preach: making it easier to have dogs in your life. Check out our job openings, and work with dogs every day—we’ll even pay you to get a puppy. Join us!
