Take Your Dog to Work Day: June 26th

June 26th is an extra special day for many – it’s Take Your Dog to Work Day®⁶! On this day, many take part by bringing their furry companion to their place of work for the day.

Pet Sitters International (PSI) created Take Your Dog to Work Day® in 1999⁷ as a unique way to celebrate the wonderful companions that dogs are and to also promote adoptions.

PSI President and event spokesperson, Beth Stultz-Hairston, said that Take Your Dog to Work Day is an event that has grown over the years.

“While Take Your Dog to Work Day® was a surprising event when it was first celebrated, over the years more and more companies have embraced the idea of having dogs at work.” said Stultz-Hairston. “PSI feels that through the events, non-pet owners are able to witness the special bond their co-workers have with their pets firsthand and be encouraged to adopt a new best friend of their own. Each year, we hear from companies who are using the event to raise money for local animal shelters or pet-rescue groups, and who are able to encourage pet adoptions in a unique way.”

Celebrating this June 

In 2020, with remote working and social distancing policies currently in place, Take Your Dog to Work Day® will rely on virtual ideas that allow companies to celebrate dogs and promote pet adoptions. 

Pet Sitters International CEO, Patti Moran, explains, “With creativity and technology, participating companies can still achieve that.”

Here are a few ways you and your place of work can celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day®:

• Invite employees’ dogs to a virtual staff meeting:  Even if co-workers can’t meet one another’s dogs face-to-face, seeing them on the screen could be a morale booster.

• Share photos of employees’ dogs: Encourage employees to submit and send in photos of their dogs in their home office and post on the company pages or share in emails to celebrate the important role dogs (or other pets) play in the lives of employees.

• Invite a local animal shelter or pet rescue to virtually introduce adoptable pets to staff: The goal of Take Your Dog to Work Day® is to promote pet adoptions. Whether inviting a local pet-rescue organization to attend a staff web call meeting to introduce pets available for adoption or sending photos of adoptable pets through a company email, participating businesses can help pets find their forever homes.

• Host a virtual Lunch & Learn with a pet-care expert: Invite a veterinarian, professional pet sitter, or other pet-care professionals to speak on an important pet-care topic.   

The entire week leading up to Take Your Dog To Work Day, June 22nd through 26th, is Take Your Pet to Work Week®, with Take Your Cat to Work Day® celebrated Monday, June 22.  Perhaps more than ever, employees need the joy that animals bring, and with studies clearly showing a much higher level of employee attraction, engagement, and retention, it makes sense to do a trial run!  

Will you be celebrating Take Your Dog to Work Day® this year? Even if you are unable to celebrate on June 26th, it’s important to celebrate the message of Take Your Dog To Work Day throughout the year. 

Happy Bring Your Dog to Work day®!

Here at PetFirst¹, we know accidents and illnesses happen to all pets. PetFirst Pet Insurance¹ can help cover unexpected vet visits² and provides peace of mind that if your pet gets sick or injured, you don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of your pet’s care. PetFirst Pet Insurance¹  has cat and dog insurance policies² as well as Routine Care Coverage² to fit every budget.

¹PetFirst Healthcare, LLC (“PetFirst Pet Insurance” or “PetFirst”) is the program administrator authorized to offer and administer pet health insurance policies underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company, with its main office at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, or New Hampshire Insurance Company or The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, each with its main administrative office at 500 West Madison Street, Suite 3000 Chicago, IL 60661. For costs, complete details of coverage, and a listing of approved states, please contact PetFirst Healthcare, LLC.

²Like most insurance policies, insurance policies offered by PetFirst Healthcare, LLC contain certain exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force.

^{6Take Your Dog To Work Day: Pet Sitters International – https://www.petsit.com/takeyourdog}

^{7Pet Sitters International: About Pet Sitters International – https://www.petsit.com/about}

Denise Fleck is the Pet Safety Crusader™ having personally taught more than 20,000 humans to rescue Rover or help Fluffy feel better.  Her mission is to help YOU make a difference in the life of an animal through Pet First-Aid, Senior Pet Care and Disaster Preparedness classes, her “The Pet Safety Bible,” and the dozen other books she has penned.  Learn more at www.PetSafetyCrusader.com