If heading into the office leaves you with a guilty feeling because that means your furry friend will be left alone, then this is one day at work you won't want to call in sick.
Pet owners around the world commute into work, leaving their beloved companions at home alone during the day. On June 23 those dogs got to join the work force and head into the office for Take Your Dog to Work Day.
This unusual holiday has been around for almost 2 decades, first celebrated in 1999. Created by Pet Sitters International to help promote adoption of dogs and show that they can make great companions.
"Take Your Dog to Work Day encourages businesses to allow their employees' dogs in the workplace for one fun summer Friday to celebrate the great companions dogs make and promote their adoptions from local shelters, rescue groups and humane societies," Beth Stultz, vice president of marketing and operations for Pet Sitters International, tells The Dodo.
The organization believes that when they see the bond between their coworkers and their pets, they will be more likely to want to adopt a pet of their own.
Continue to the next page to see the results of Take Your Dog To Work Day.
"The day was established as a unique way to raise awareness for the need for pet adoptions," Stultz says. "The campaign began as a grassroots effort. The PSI staff called and faxed (it was 1999!) hundreds of businesses to encourage them to participate the first year."
In its first year, a reported 300 businesses participated, now 19 years later, Take Your Dog to Work Day has received worldwide recognition.
Summer is a slow time for animal adoptions, which makes June the perfect time to host this holiday. Pets are more likely to be abandoned during the warmer months and neglected animals add to local shelters already busy capacity.
Take Your Dog to Work day isn't just for the canines. Felines are welcome to participate as well!
From May to October is when female cats are likely to go into heat and can have up to 2 litters of kitten in only 5 months.
Not only is it fun to have an extra cuddle from your pet while at work, studies have also shown that pets at work can be good for reducing stress and improving quality of life.
According to the 2016 Society for Human Resources Management survey, 7% of employers allow pets in the workplace, which is up from the 4% that allowed pets in 2014.
"They tend to see that the dogs increase co-worker cooperation and interaction, particularly when people would go by and see the dog just to visit," says Randolph Barker, a professor of management at Virginia Commonwealth University.