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Pet Photographer Richie Schwartz: With 40 years as a pro photographer, this former Vet Tech, Groomer and Dog Trainer’s experiences and talent have given him the ability to create unique pet portraits. Based in NY, he has photographed over 75,000 pets in 33 states and is known as "America's Most Experienced Pet Photographer". He is also an educator and mentor, teaching pet photography and general business skills to other photographers. Richie volunteers his time to help animal rescue groups.
Thursday, October 20, 2022
Wednesday, October 19, 2022
The Benefits and Best Practices
As devastating as the pandemic has been, a few positives have come out of it — and the rise of pet-friendly offices is one of them. Well-known companies like Ben & Jerry’s, BISSEL, Rover, Build-A-Bear, and many other employers around the US have already adopted pet-friendly office policies, and your workplace should probably follow suit. After all, dog-friendly offices are good for worker morale — helping to decrease employee stress, increase workplace happiness, and improve communication and collaboration between colleagues.
To learn all about the benefits of creating a pet-friendly workplace, check out this article from Pets Photography Studio.
Pets at Work Improve Employee Morale and Retention
As we mentioned above, pets in the office have been shown to improve workplace morale, happiness, and communication. And according to Tony McReynolds of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), employees working in pet-friendly offices are more likely to have a positive relationship with their managers and colleagues, stay with their employers for the long term, and recommend their place of employment to others. Pet-friendliness also helps to attract and retain workers, particularly millennial employees.
That said, not all work environments are suitable for animals. Here are some alternatives:
● Organizing an annual Take Your Dog to Work Day event.
● Offering pet insurance as a benefit to your employees.
● Hosting employee happy hours at dog parks or pet-friendly bars and restaurants.
● Making employer contributions to charities like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) or the SPCA.
If your company operates remotely, Rover.com shares some additional tips for creating a pet-friendly company. You could invite pets onto video calls and encourage employees to share photos of their animal companions.
Pets Make a Great Addition to Your Employee Benefits Package
Today’s employees desire so much more than healthcare benefits and two weeks of paid time off. They want flexible work schedules, the ability to work from home, and a chance to share their office spaces with dogs, cats, and other animals.
As such, a pet-friendly office policy can be a great addition to your employee benefits package. A well-rounded benefits package shows that you care about and respect your employees — as well as their varying wants and needs. You’ll not only attract talented workers but retain them for the long term.
Best Practices for Pet-Friendly Workplaces
If you’re interested in creating a pet-friendly policy for your office, start by conducting an employee survey. Get everyone’s opinion on having pets in the office — and depending on the results — determine whether to allow pets in the office every day, once a week, or once a month. Some employees may have pet allergies, while others may be fearful of certain animals (particularly dogs).
When you’re ready to move forward with creating your pet policy, there are many things to consider. For instance, the office will need to be cleaned more frequently, and you’ll need to designate a green space that can be used for taking dogs outside during the workday. Plus there needs to be a section in the policy that is protocol for how to handle that time outside to take dogs for walks throughout the day (how many breaks can be taken, how long outside time will be, etc.).
You’ll also need to determine which types of pets will be allowed (e.g. dogs, cats, and therapy animals), and which will be prohibited (e.g. ferrets, monkeys, and snakes).
Once you’re ready to create your pet policy, it’s a good idea to follow these best practices:
● Require all animals to be vaccinated, well-mannered, and housebroken.
● Require animals to be clean, groomed, and up-to-date on veterinary treatments.
● Request written requests from employees who wish to bring their pets into the office.
● Designate a pet-free zone where people with allergies or other concerns can comfortably work.
● Inform all employees of the new pet policy and how having pets in the workplace can be good for business.
Pet-Friendly Offices Make Happier Workers
Not everyone identifies as an animal lover, but even those that don’t typically enjoy the company of dogs, cats, and other animals can reap the benefits of working in a pet-friendly office. Pets reduce stress levels, make us happier and healthier, and enhance our workplace creativity and productivity — all things that benefit us as well as the companies we’re employed by.
Pets Photography Studio was founded by Pet Photography Specialist Richie Schwartz, a former Veterinary Technician and Dog Trainer based in NY. In 40 years, he has photographed over 100,000 pets and is known as "America's Most Experienced Pet Photographer".
For pet photography information call 516-263-4821 or email: Woof@PetsPhotography.com
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