Last Updated: 20/01/2026
Benefits of Pets in the Office: A Guide to Workplace Wellness
Thinking about bringing your dog to work? From lowering cortisol levels to boosting office morale and productivity, explore the science-backed benefits of pet-friendly workplaces and how to manage the transition smoothly for the whole team.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 7 minutes - short read
There is nothing quite like the sound of a happy tail thumping against a desk or the sight of a fluffy coworker snoozing through a morning meeting to brighten the workday. At Pet Circle, our office is proudly pet-friendly, and we see firsthand how much joy a canine or feline colleague can bring. While it might seem like a recipe for distraction, research suggests that having animals in the workplace actually offers significant advantages for both employee well-being and business outcomes. If you are considering pitching a pet-friendly policy to your boss, here is the evidence you need to show that pets are more than just cute companions - they are genuine assets to the team.
In this article
Why having pets in the office reduces stress
Aside from being able to sniff out cancer and decrease our chances of developing allergies, dogs have also known to reduce stress, depression and anxiety. A study performed by Randolph Barker and associates (2012) found that people who brought dogs with them to work had lower concentrations of Cortisol (the stress hormone) and reported lower feelings of stress throughout the day.
A multiple case study by Wagner & Pina in 2021 found that "organizational members consider that dogs can lower their stress, improve communication, and foster social cohesion when a flexible organizational culture is in place. This includes the following: Problems in the company are openly addressed; employees have job autonomy, with flexibility to take breaks; and mistakes and errors are allowed to be made by employees and their companions alike, and room to find solutions is given."
Why do pets make us feel so good?
When you engage and bond with your pet, it causes the release of the hormone oxytocin (otherwise known as the 'love hormone') in your brain. Oxytocin can have a range of beneficial effects including:
- Feelings of relaxation
- Reduced stress response
- Lowered blood pressure
- Feelings of relaxation
- Reduced stress response
- Lowered blood pressure
How office dogs boost employee productivity
The Barker study also found that about 50% of participants who brought their dogs into work with them reported increased productivity. Whereas in participants with no pets, about 80% noticed no change in working productivity. Very few found a decrease in productivity at all.
It's possible that the decrease in stress levels and overall lift in mood produced by a pet in the office can give employees the boost in energy that they need to get their work done!
Building better workplace culture with pets
Around 80% of pet owners report that their pet helps them feel less lonely and socially isolated. Employees who usually would not speak to each other were found more likely to interact if one or both parties had an accompanying pooch.
A pet in the office can help spark conversation, which is almost always guaranteed to be positive and happy. This can encourage introverted employees to 'break the ice' and engage in positive interactions, and ultimately promote office comradery.
Another study by Gueguen and Cicotti (2008) suggests that the ownership of pets can increase our socio-positive perception of others. Subjects with pets were found to receive help more readily when performing tasks such as asking for change or when they dropped a handful of coins. The presence of a pet was also found to increase the chances of successfully obtaining a stranger's phone number. Picking up with pets really is a thing!
Another study by Collarelli et al (2017) showed that when participants were randomly assigned to either a dog-present or dog-absent four-person group and given a task to perform, "Behavior in dog-present groups was rated as more cooperative, comfortable, friendly, active, enthusiastic, and attentive".
The value of having a team that gets along with one another should not be underestimated. A positive team who interact regularly can lead to greater communication and much better cohesiveness and overall productivity.
The mental health benefits of animal-assisted workplaces
Pets in the office can help lift everyone's spirits and promote mental health. The use of therapy dogs has been demonstrated to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, as well as lowering physical signs of stress such as blood pressure.
Pet ownership and animal assisted therapy has also been demonstrated to have a positive effect on those suffering depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trained service dogs have been successfully used to help manage PTSD in military members and veterans, reducing severity and symptoms and improving quality of life and resilience.
Improving physical health through pet-friendly policies
Many office workers can fall into the trap of staying confined indoors all day without fresh air or sunlight. This can lead to feelings of fatigue, reduced cardiovascular health, and seasonal depressive disorder (particularly in winter).
With a pet in the office, team members will need to leave the office at least once to offer the dog a toilet break. This allows them to stretch their legs, get a nice dose of fresh air, and can replenish their mind so they're ready for a productive afternoon.
Common challenges of a pet-friendly workplace
1. Your employees might not be 'pet people'
Allowing pets in the office is not every company's cup of tea. Before asking your employer to allow pets in the office, it's best to check with anyone about potential allergies or pet phobias. While you may work more efficiently and experience reduced stress, Margaret in accounts mightn't be so happy about sniffling through an entire box of Kleenex.
2. Your pet might not be suitable
It's important to evaluate your pet and whether they will be stressed or scared. Many dogs find it stressful to leave home and spend time in an unfamiliar environment. While crate training and proper sensitisation can help, the safety of your pet and colleagues should be your first and foremost consideration.
3. Toilet training is a must!
When faced with the idea of pets in the office, most employers and body corporate organisations are concerned about hygeine. What if the dogs have an accident on the carpet?
The key here comes down to implementing a clear set of guidelines which specifies that only toilet trained dogs are permitted in the office. And in our personal experience, toileting mishaps are very rare if the dog is properly trained and allowed out regularly. If concerned, your employer may wish to provide a puppy pad or pet loo.
4. Multiple dogs does not always equal multiple fun
If multiple dogs are brought into the office, chaos can quickly ensue. Of course the obvious risk is that the dogs may fight, but even if the dogs do get on well, playtime and the associated noise can be very distracting for employees.
If implementing a pet friendly regime in your office, it's best to introduce a schedule which only allows familiar dogs in the office with each other, and ensure they receive plenty of outdoor play time throughout the day.
FAQs
Integrating pets into the workplace is about more than just having a furry friend by your side; it is about creating a supportive, high-energy environment where employees can thrive. While it requires clear guidelines, flexibility and a bit of coordination, the rewards of lower stress and higher engagement are well worth the effort. By balancing the needs of the pets with the requirements of the office, you can transform your workspace into a happier, more productive place for everyone.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 21 Jan 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
