Along with COVID-19, 2020 brought a rush in demand for dogs and cats, with adoptions and sales soaring as Americans tried to fill the distancing and emotional void with a new companion. For those of us already in the work from home (WFH) world, our coworker pets had most likely found their place and routine. Those of us new to WFH with pets discovered they now had default coworkers as the WFH scenario went on and on and on.
And so, for the month of February — this month of love, heart and home — we honor all the many office pets that we love and care for. For us, this especially means we pay homage to the memory of our ever-faithful office dog, Maggie.
Honoring Maggie
My loyal, faithful and steady fur babe/office dog suddenly left us two weeks ago and we’re heartbroken. Maggie celebrated her 13th birthday on January 18, 2021. Cardiac issues, which we were aware of and treating, intensified that evening and she passed at home the following morning.
Maggie spent many hours by my side and at my feet (or under my desk, her favorite napping spot). She was the coworker dog that you want in the office: there for support when needed, the solid gaze of “you’ve got this” when critique or review was required, and a friendly sounding board for sharing wins and losses over our many years together. Only on rare occasions did she raise a ruckus in the office, which was usually instigated by her fellow fur companions Dempsey and Daisy Lu. May our sweet girl Maggie rest in peace.
Working with Office Pets
Having always had pets, we’ve had many years to learn the benefits of being a WFH pet owner. Here are our top five.
Decreased Stress Levels – The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute has shown that owning a pet can reduce depression and anxiety and have other positive effects on your health, such as lowering your blood pressure. Working at home with a family pet can decrease your level of workplace stress, whether physical or emotional.
- Increased Productivity – Some studies have shown that WFH owners with pets increase their productivity. For instance, when working away from home it’s easy to worry about your pet and its care. When you can easily monitor your pet as you do your work, you can be more productive and worry less.
- Feeling Better – The Mental Health Foundation has shown how pets offer unique companionship, increasing happiness as well as motivation. Feeling good is an essential part of being productive. Working from home can be challenging and lonely for some people. Your four-legged-friend can reduce those feelings and provide company.
- Taking Breaks – We all love taking a break! When working in a WFH environment, it can be way too easy to stay in the same location for hours. Owning a pet offers a great opportunity to take occasional breaks throughout the day. Pets (especially dogs!) not only crave attention, but they thrive on an established routine. These breaks can help stretch your legs and clear your mind.
- Pet Enrichment – One WFH benefit is that it’s good for your pet. WFH lets you interact more with your pet and reinforce home rules. By doing so, they will learn when it’s time to play, but also understand when it’s time for work. Ultimately, it will increase the bonds you share and lead to a better quality of life for you both.
Keeping it Professional
If you’re a WFH worker, you might find it’s more relaxed than going to an office. However, there are times when a serious, important or formal meeting is required. This is NOT the time for your coworker pet to be part of the meeting!
Having your cat lie on your keyboard or your puppy chew on your computer charger or bark incessantly during a video conference might seem loveable or funny to you, but others will just find it annoying. So unless your pet is a lounger like my Maggie was, you may need to keep them busy or tire them out. Use up some of your pet’s energy with a brisk walk, a quick game of fetch, or interactive play with a toy mouse or a feather.
Whether you’re working from home temporarily or permanently, we hope you’ll find that a pet can be the best coworker you’ve ever had — like Maggie was for me. And please share a picture of your coworker pet with us if you’d like to.
