It might not be too surprising to learn that the DogWatch offices are populated by dog lovers and also by their loved dogs. To us it’s just natural to have a dog or two strolling the halls or sleeping comfortably under our desks. It comes as no surprise to learn that this once-rare workplace perk is becoming more popular.

Research has long shown that living with pets can help lower blood pressure and anxiety, as well as boost immunity. A recent study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management indicates that those positive benefits may translate to employees who work in pet-friendly workplaces.

Lucy, working at her DogWatch desk

The weeklong study involved 75 workers at Replacements Ltd. in Greensboro, North Carolina, a company that has allowed employees to bring their pets to work for 15 years. Stress levels were measured by self-reporting 4 times a day and by measuring the amount of cortisol, or stress hormone, present in samples of the employees saliva. By the end of each day the stress level of employees who took their pets to work were consistently lower than that of employees who didn’t bring their pets and of those who didn’t own pets.

Shiloh relaxing at the DogWatch office.

Randolph Barker, business professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, who conducted the study says that, though the research is preliminary, “Pet presence may serve as a low-cost, wellness intervention readily available to many organizations and may enhance organizational satisfaction and perceptions of support.”

We don’t need any convincing. We love bringing our doggies to meetings about dogs. After all, happy dogs are what DogWatch is all about.

Pet Sitters International, creator of Take Your Dog to Work Day, offers 7 helpful tips on how to successfully integrate dogs into your workplace at: http://bit.ly/Zn9Zyw