The Seattle Humane Society is launching a new pilot program that helps employers create dog-friendly workplaces.

“Working K9 to 5” is a how-to guide offering free tools and expert guidance for businesses to introduce dogs in the workplace.

A return to post-pandemic work situations is causing separation anxiety and not just for the dogs. “If this pandemic has shown us anything, it is the power of animals to help us navigate life’s biggest challenges while also providing us with immeasurable comfort,” said Christopher Ross, CEO of Seattle Humane. “Scores of people have adopted dogs and cats since the pandemic began, creating an even closer bond between pet owners and their animals.” He adds, “People have spent the last two years working from home, and now that some employers are bringing their staff back into the office, people are looking for ways to bring their dogs with them. We know when people can have their dogs at work, it decreases separation anxiety and reduces the number of pets who may need to be rehomed.”

“Working K9 to 5” offers clear steps and guidelines that include pet rules and eligibility for office dogs, expected etiquette rules for both dogs and their owners, guidance for dispute resolution, along with a step-by-step guide to incorporating dogs into an office setting. Seattle Humane’s website states that research suggests bringing dogs to work can have a positive impact on employee work performance, and can also help attract and retain talent. Having pups at work seems to have an overall positive impact on office culture, even for those without dogs. Learn more about this program at Working K9 to 5” Helps Employers Create Dog-Friendly Offices – Seattle Humane.

Founded in 1897, Seattle Humane has been saving pets in need. As more people moved to the growing port town of Seattle, the Seattle Humane Society began advocating for animals in stockyards. They later became the sole animal control agency for King County, a role they kept until the 1970s. In early 2010, Seattle Humane raised funds to transform the humble, scattered buildings on its wooded property into a modern shelter and adoption facility with the goal to serve more pets, to offer a state-of-the-art veterinary medicine clinic and to add services. The new campus opened in 2017.

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