Bring Your Dog To Work Day 2025: Unleash Wellbeing at Work!

In our recent "June Focus" post on Work-Life Balance and Employee Wellbeing, we briefly mentioned the idea of pet-friendly policies as an innovative way to boost mood and reduce workplace stress. Well, mark your calendars because Friday, June 20th, is the perfect opportunity to explore this concept in full: it’s Bring Your Dog To Work Day 2025!

For many of us, a typical workday means leaving our beloved furry companions at home, perhaps relying on the services of dog walkers or dog boarding / kennels to look after them. But for one special day, workplaces across the UK are invited to open their doors to paws and tails! Of course, not every business environment is suitable for canine colleagues, but for those that can join in, the benefits go far beyond a wagging tail. Let's take a look at why this day truly matters…

 

What is Bring Your Dog To Work Day?

Bring Your Dog To Work Day is a popular annual event that celebrates the unique joys of pet ownership while also supporting a wonderful cause. Established in 2014 by HOWND, an ethical pet product company, this initiative has grown into a widely embraced occasion. It encourages businesses and their teams to welcome dogs into the workplace for a joyful day of companionship and charitable giving. It’s a chance to see your office transform into a slightly furrier, happier space, all while raising vital funds for animal welfare charities.

Why It Matters: Paw-sitive Perks for Your Workplace

Beyond the undeniable cuteness factor, having dogs in the workplace offers tangible benefits for employees and the overall company culture. It’s more than just a novelty; it's a genuine boost to wellbeing.

Research consistently highlights the positive impact:

• Stress Reduction:

The mere presence of a dog can significantly lower stress levels. Studies show that interacting with pets can reduce the stress hormone cortisol. For instance, a Virginia Commonwealth University study found that employees who brought their dogs to work reported significantly lower stress levels throughout the day compared to those who didn't. What's more, participants in the study also experienced higher levels of job satisfaction and they even reported to have more positive perception of their employer!

• Boosted Morale & Mood:

Dogs have a magical way of lifting spirits. Their playful energy and unconditional affection can create a more relaxed and positive atmosphere, encouraging laughter and spontaneous breaks.

• Enhanced Social Interaction & Team Cohesion:

Dogs act as natural icebreakers. They encourage colleagues to interact more, leading to stronger bonds and a more connected team environment. That quick chat by the water cooler often becomes a shared moment over a wagging tail!

• Increased Productivity:

Counter-intuitively, the occasional distraction of a pet can lead to greater focus. Short, refreshing breaks to pet a dog can improve concentration and creativity, combating mental fatigue.

• Support for Animal Welfare:

Importantly, Bring Your Dog To Work Day is a fantastic way to raise awareness and funds for dog businesses and charities dedicated to rescuing, rehoming, and caring for dogs in need.

 

Preparing Your Pup for Their Big Day Out

To ensure Bring Your Dog To Work Day is a tail-wagging success for everyone, a little preparation goes a long way. After all, a calm, happy pup makes for a smooth day, especially if you're hoping to persuade your boss to allow more pet-friendly days!

• Grooming Glamour:

Consider a quick trip to a local dog salon or dog groomers beforehand. A fresh trim and a good brush will ensure your canine companion is looking their best for their big introduction to your colleagues.

• Manners Matter:

This day works best with well-behaved dogs. If your furry friend is a little lacking in social graces, a quick one-to-one session with a dog trainer or behaviourist can help brush up on their "good boy" or "good girl" manners, making the day more relaxed for all.

• Early Arrival & Acclimatisation:

Arrive a little earlier than usual to walk your dog around the workplace before most colleagues arrive. This helps them get used to the new sounds, smells, and surroundings, making them feel more relaxed and less overwhelmed.

• Pre-Work Playtime:

Give your dog a really good, long walk or play session before you head in. A tired dog is generally a calm dog, less likely to be restless or overly energetic.

• Comfort & Familiarity:

Bring along a comfy blanket or bed for them to settle on, and their favourite (non-squeaky!) toy for reassurance. Having familiar items can help them feel safe and secure in a new environment.

• Tasty Treats:

Pack plenty of delicious dog treats to reward their (hopefully!) good behaviour. Supporting a local pet shop or a small dog business for unique, healthy treats is a great idea to combine into the day. 

 

Ways to Celebrate the Bring Your Dog To Work Day

So, your well-prepped pooch is ready. How do you make Bring Your Dog To Work Day memorable and meaningful for your whole team?

• Team Photo Op (with Paws!):

Gather everyone for a fun team photo with their canine companions. Think playful props or themed accessories! Then, take that fantastic photo and use one of our Design Your Own card templates. You could create unique client thank you cards, for an informal way of showing them the friendly faces (and furry faces!) behind your brand. Or design a special "Top Dog" employee recognition card to celebrate outstanding team members, or even create your own dog-themed Christmas cards, for a fur-tastic way to send festive greetings to everyone this year!

• Group Walk & Talk:

Organise a team and dog walk during the day in a nearby green space or park. It’s not only great exercise for the dogs but also a welcome, refreshing break for staff – perfectly aligning with the spirit of taking short wellbeing breaks throughout the workday, a topic we'll be exploring further soon!

• "Dog vs. Human" Talent Show:

Host a light-hearted talent show where both dogs and their owners can show off a skill. Who can fetch better? Who has the best "sit-pretty"? Who can balance a treat on their nose the longest? It's a fun, low-pressure way to encourage interaction and laughter.

• Charity Fun:

Organise a small fundraiser for animal welfare charities. This could be a "guess the breed" competition, a dog-themed bake sale, or simply encouraging donations.

 

Bring Your Dog To Work Day is more than just a novelty; it's a wonderful opportunity to enhance your workplace culture and boost employee wellbeing in a truly unique way. By welcoming our four-legged friends, even for a day, you can create a more relaxed, connected, and appreciative environment. This celebration also provides a fantastic platform to support dedicated dog businesses and the vital work of animal welfare charities.

So, this Friday, June 20th, let's all embrace the paws-itive power of our canine companions!