Preventative Care@3x

TYDTWDAY….What?

Jun 13, 2014 | Holidays, Pet Features, Uncategorized

Dog with laptopFriday, June 20, 2014 marks the 16th anniversary of Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWDAY…that is one crazy acronym). In 1999, Pet Sitters International (PSI) held the first official day in the United States, with nearly 300 companies participating. Rooted in celebrating the great companions dogs make, the event was established to encourage both adoptions and as a way of getting businesses and employers to experience the joy of pets in the workplace while supporting their employee base and local pet community. Now, more than a decade-and-a-half later, the event is still going strong!

Is your company participating in TYDTWDAY this year? Here are some interesting facts to get your employer on board!
– 17% of working Americans 18 and older reported their company permits pets at work (American Pet Products Association (APPA), 2008)
– Employees who bring their dogs to work produced lower levels of the stress-causing hormone cortisol (2012 study by Virginia Commonwealth University)

Want more? According to a survey by the APPA in 2006:
– 55 million Americans believe having pets in the workplace leads to a more creative environment
– 50 million believe having pets in the workplace helps co-workers get along better
– 38 million believe having pets in the workplace creates a more productive work environment
– 37 million believe having pets in the workplace helps inprove relationships between managers and their employees

Here is a summary of the top six steps for planning your TWDTWDAY Event as provided by PSI:

Step 1: Share your idea with your boss or head of human resources. Get them on board.

Step 2: Select an event coordinator. Depending on the size of your company, you may need a committee.

Step 3: Decide how your company will celebrate. From bringing your dog to work, all the way to contests, games, prizes, fashion show and more, select activities that work best for your place of business.

Step 4: Select a local shelter or rescue organization to benefit from your TYDTWDAY Event. Remember, the day was created to celebrate dogs AND promote their adoptions. Think about how your company can use your event to promote adoption or raise supplies for a local shelter or rescue group.

Step 5: Take advantage of services offered by local pet professionals. Check with your local professionals; veterinarians, groomers, dog trainers, or pet store owners who may be interested in providing informational materials, door prizes or other items for your event.

Step 6: Notify your local media. Not only is the goal to raise adoption awareness, but this can simultaneously garner positive media attention for your business!

And, here are some helpful reminders from our blog last year to ensure you have what you need to make the most of TYDTWDAY:

• Make sure your dog is up to date on all their shots and is in optimal health. You may want to contact your vet to find out if they recommend a kennel cough vaccine before having your dog in close quarters with other canines for the day.

• Brush up on obedience training. Make sure that your dog knows (and responds to) basic commands to sit and stay. It’s important that he behaves properly when introduced to both new people (and dogs!). If your dog is extremely nervous about making new friends, work with your vet to determine low stress methods to help him acclimate more calmly to new situations. Sometimes an outing to a dog park on a quiet afternoon or inviting a friend and their dog over for a play date can help ease some of their anxiety.

• Prepare for the big day by bringing all your pet’s essentials: food, water, bowls, treats, a toy or bone to keep them occupied, and a leash. Think about where your dog will spend their time while they are at your office and how to make them comfortable. You may want to bring in a dog bed or crate for naptime or other amenities to make the day as delightful for your dog as it will be for you.

• Know when to go. If your dog is not behaving properly or can’t settle down in a new environment, take a break and bring him home to his regular environment. You can always try again next year!

Learn more at the official event website www.takeyourdog.com.

Disclaimer: Not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding the medical condition of your pet. If you think your pet has a medical emergency, call or visit your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency hospital immediately.