The VCU School of Business and Purebredbreeders.com agree; dogs are good for you! In fact, according the results of a preliminary study done by researchers from the institution, taking your dog to work reduces daily stress significantly. It also helps those around you who come in contact with your dog. The study made its way into the International Journal of Workplace Health Management this past March, and although its only preliminary, there seems to be enough to back the claim. Plus, anyone who works with dogs, takes their own to work, or works from home will agree that they just make the day easier to deal with.
A Brief Look At How The Experiment Was Done
The team used three groups of employees from Replacements, Ltd in Greensboro, N.C.: 1) non-dog owners; 2) dog owners who took their dogs to work; and those who did not. There were self-reports on stress levels throughout the day, as well as hormonal tests using saliva in the morning to help determine the actual levels of specific stress-related hormones present at the time. The experiment lasted for one week.
The Findings
Based on the team’s reports, owners were far more stressed on the days they did not have their dogs with them. They also found that people reported less stress on days they had contact with their dog (or someone else’s) during work. Those days led to levels of job satisfaction way above industry standards, leading to the belief that dogs can boost company morale in high-stress environments.
The Way Forward
As a network of breeders and canine lovers, Purebredbreeders.com knows how much an adorable or happy pooch can influence our days. Dogs are entertaining, and somehow always know when something is wrong. They also tend to want to please us, are loyal, and are just so cute that often looking at them brightens our day.
This is the power that the VCU School of Business thinks can be harnessed in the workplace. It is also a power that has been harnessed in many settings in which service dogs are used; most notably as performers, those working with children, troubled teens, and veterans, as well as dogs used to help those who are sick.
The study will now have to be finalized, but overall it touches on something many people already know even if they have never really thought about it. Purebredbreeders.com hopes to see the study done on a broader scale to help more people see how well their canine companion can help them do their jobs. We also hope that these findings help businesses devise policies to boost employee satisfaction and morale, although we are aware that other factors will play a part in the decisions made.
Arnold is a Purebred Breeder LLC writer whose favorite time of the morning is when he is out jogging with Butch; his German Shepherd (and third dog). His love for dogs was obvious from an early age and his parents entrusted him with the handle the responsibility of taking care of a dog at age 7. That Border Collie for a Christmas present was merely the start; soon he was sneaking food to strays and playing doctor to any dog he thought was in need.
A self proclaimed bachelor, Arnold believes that living a healthy life by eating the right foods and exercising is the way to go and feels that lifestyle should extend to Butch and all other dogs as well. He researches extensively on healthy lifestyle for dogs and Purebred Breeders Review gives him the perfect avenue to enlighten dog owners about exercise and nutrition. He also helps with Purebred Breeders Complaint issues.
Arnold loves the outdoors and coaches a local little league team in his neighborhood and can be found playing fetch with Butch or hanging with friends in his spare time. He is also on Twitter and Pinterest.
