Pets at work and their positive impact on productivity post is here, because although we speak a lot about human behaviour, we cannot forget about our favourite dogs and cats, and their places in the Workplace and in our heart. Obviously not just doggos and cattos are available to help our soul, but still, they are the most popular ones.

Pets and well-being

How having pets at work or home enhance mood, productivity, and feelings? Pets influence our mood in several ways we would not even think about it.

They can have a significant impact on human behavior, as they provide

• companionship,
• emotional support, and
• can help reduce stress levels.

Pets enhancing our mood

Pets at work as well as at home can enhance mood and improve productivity with interactions and by

• Increased Social Interaction: owning a pet can increase social interaction with other pet owners, which can help reduce social anxiety and promote a sense of community, as well as encourage socialization in children,

• Reduced Stress: research has shown that owning a pet can help reduce stress levels, lower blood pressure, and decrease anxiety. Caring for a pet and interacting with them can help reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.

• Improved Physical Health: walking, playing, and caring for pets can increase physical activity can release endorphins and improve our mood. and promote a healthier lifestyle.

• Increased Empathy and Compassion: caring for a pet can help develop empathy and compassion, as it requires attending to the needs of another living creature.

• Improved Mental Health: pets can provide emotional support and companionship, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression, loneliness, and other mental health conditions.

• Enhanced Sense of Responsibility: taking care of a pet requires responsibility and commitment, which can help develop a sense of accountability and discipline.

• Companionship: pets provide companionship and unconditional love, which can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.

Unconditional Love is a bit of a lie, they might just think in that way as you are giving them food, so it is more like a habit and not the love itself but sounds good at least.

Human-animal bond

Research has shown that the human-animal bond is a complex and multifaceted relationship that can provide many benefits to humans, including physical, mental, and emotional health benefits.

For example, studies have found that

• interacting with pets can help reduce stress and anxiety,
• lower blood pressure, and
• decrease feelings of loneliness and depression.

Additionally, owning a pet can provide a sense of purpose, companionship, and love.

Interestingly, the human-animal bond is not limited to traditional pets such as dogs and cats. People can form strong connections with a wide variety of animals, including horses, birds, fish, and even insects.

Furthermore, the bond is not a one-way street. Pets can also benefit from their relationship with humans, such as receiving care, protection, and companionship.

In summary, the bond is a fascinating and important aspect of the relationship between humans and animals, and it provides numerous benefits to both parties.

Study on Pet Ownership and Mental Health

This study was conducted by researchers at the University of Liverpool and involved 17,000 participants from various countries around the world. The study was published in the journal BMC Public Health in 2015. Researchers found that pet owners had significantly lower levels of

• depression,
• anxiety, and
• loneliness compared to those who did not own pets.

Furthermore, the study found that the positive effects of pet ownership were most pronounced for people who lived alone or who had experienced a recent life stressor, such as the loss of a loved one or a job.

_{(Source: McNicholas, J., & Collis, G. M. (2015). Dogs as catalysts for social interactions: robustness of the effect. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 1-6.)}

American Heart Association Statement

The American Heart Association’s statement on the cardiovascular benefits of pet ownership is based on a review of several studies conducted over the past decade. The statement was published in the journal Circulation in 2013 and notes that pet ownership is associated with a

• lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a
• lower incidence of hypertension.

Additionally, the statement notes that pet owners who have suffered a heart attack have a better survival rate compared to non-pet owners. The statement also suggests that pet ownership may be associated with increased physical activity, which can contribute to better cardiovascular health.

Overall, these studies provide compelling evidence for the positive impact that pets can have on human health and well-being.

_{(Source: Levine, G. N., Allen, K., Braun, L. T., Christian, H. E., Friedmann, E., Taubert, K. A., … & Lange, R. A. (2013). Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 127(23), 2353-2363.)}

The impact of having dogs in the workplace

The study by Barker et al. (2012) aimed to investigate the impact of having dogs present in the workplace on Employee stress levels and organizational perceptions.

Researchers conducted a survey of 76 employees from a manufacturing company in the United States, where dogs were permitted to be present in the workplace. The survey assessed the employees’ perceived stress levels, overall job satisfaction, and perceptions of the organizational culture.

The results of the study showed that the presence of dogs in the workplace was associated with reduced stress levels among employees. Employees who reported having dogs present in the workplace had lower levels of perceived stress compared to employees who did not have dogs present. In addition to this, the study found that employees who had dogs present in the workplace reported

• higher levels of job satisfaction and
• positive perceptions of the organizational culture.

While the study had limitations, such as a small sample size and self-reported measures, the findings suggest that allowing dogs in the workplace may have positive benefits for employee well-being and organizational outcomes. The study adds to a growing body of research on the potential benefits of the human-animal bond, particularly in the context of the workplace.

_{(Source: Barker, R. T., Knisely, J. S., Barker, S. B., Cobb, R. K., & Schubert, C. M. (2012). Preliminary investigation of employee’s dog presence on stress and organizational perceptions. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 5(1), 15-30.)}

Interacting with a cat

Mood changer

One study by Allen et al. (1999) examined the effects of interacting with a friendly cat on mood and anxiety levels in adults.

The study found that interacting with a cat led to

• reductions in anxiety and
• increases in positive mood states, such as happiness and calmness.

Researchers also found that effects of interacting with a cat were like those of interacting with a human friend, suggesting that cats can provide social support and enhance well-being in a comparable way to humans.

_{(Source: Allen, K., Blascovich, J., Tomaka, J., & Kelsey, R. M. (1999). Presence of human friends and pet dogs as moderators of autonomic responses to stress in women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(5), 913–922. doi: 10.1037/0022-3514.76.5.913)}

Cat café and human well-being

This study by McConnell et al. (2011) investigated the effects of a cat café intervention on human well-being.

The study involved a group of 166 participants who visited a cat café, where they were able to interact with cats for an hour. The researchers found that the cat café intervention led to significant improvements in several dimensions of well-being, including

• decreased negative mood and increased positive mood,
• social support, and relaxation.

_{(Source: McConnell, A. R., Brown, C. M., Shoda, T. M., Stayton, L. E., & Martin, C. E. (2011). Friends with benefits: On the positive consequences of pet ownership. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(6), 1239–1252. doi: 10.1037/a0024506)}

Therapy dog offers stress relief at work

Harvard Health Publishing reported in 2011 that Harvard Medical School has a therapy dog named Cooper, a 4-year-old Shih-Tzu, who uses unconventional methods to help students, staff, and faculty members relieve stress. He is a registered therapy dog who wears a signature scarf and works behind the reference desk at the Countway Library. His office is furnished with a couch, chair, water bowl, and toys, including a stuffed monkey with rope legs.

Studies have shown (for example the study about the human-companion animal bond: how humans benefit written by Erika Friedmann, Heesook Son that pets have enormous health benefits for people, such as lowering

• blood pressure,
• improving recovery from heart disease, and
• reducing rates of asthma and allergy in children.

Cooper is available to Harvard employees for up to 30 minutes at a time, and library visitors can “check him out” like a book. Cooper has an official entry in the Countway catalogue, where he is categorized as an antidepressive agent, an anti-anxiety agent, and animal-assisted therapy.

Pets at work policies

Guidelines or rules that organizations put in place to manage and regulate the presence of pets in the workplace. These policies typically address issues such as which types of pets at work are allowed, how many pets can be present, and what behaviors are expected from both the pets and their owners.

• Permission: organizations may require employees to seek permission before bringing their pets to work. This allows employers to ensure that the pet is well-behaved, and that the presence of the pet will not cause any disruptions or problems in the workplace.

• Limits on types of pets: some organizations limit the types of pets that are allowed in the workplace. For example, some organizations allow only dogs, while others only cats or other animals.

• Limits on the number of pets: organizations limit the number of pets that can be present in the workplace. This can help to prevent overcrowding and ensure that the workplace remains safe and comfortable for all employees.

• Behavioral expectations: include expectations for the behavior of both pets and their owners. For example, policies require pets to be well-behaved, trained, and clean. Owners also be required to clean up after pets and ensure that they do not cause any disruptions or problems in the workplace.

• Liability and insurance: addressing liability and insurance issues. For example, organizations may require employees to provide proof of liability insurance for their pets, or they may require employees to sign a waiver acknowledging that they are responsible for any damage or injuries caused by their pets.

Sum up

Having pets at work can have several benefits for employee well-being and mental health. Studies have shown that interactions with pets, including dogs and cats, can lead to

• reductions in stress, anxiety, and negative mood, and
• increases in positive mood states like happiness and calmness.

Additionally, pets can provide social support and increase feelings of connectedness with others, which can enhance overall well-being

Having pets in the workplace have practical benefits, such as

• increasing employee satisfaction and
• reducing turnover rates.

Pets can help to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere in the workplace, which can enhance morale and productivity.

Having pets in the workplace can provide several benefits for both employees and employers, including improved mental health and well-being, increased social support, and greater job satisfaction.

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