Are you debating whether you should take your cat or dog to work - or whether it’d be a good idea to open your office to your employees’ pets? As it turns out, pet-friendly workplaces offer numerous benefits for both pets and their pet parents. In celebration of Take Your Pet To Work Day on June 24th, here are our five favorite reasons to take your pet to work:

1. Walk breaks and playtime boost productivity.
It might sound counter-productive; if you have to take breaks every few hours to walk the dog or play with the cat, won’t that mean less work will get done throughout the day? As it turns out, taking breaks, especially ones that entail getting up and moving around is a great way to relieve stress, lift your mood, and fight burnout. Numerous research studies have shown that taking regular breaks boosts productivity in the workplace. Plus, walking increases the blood flow to the brain, boosting creativity and problem-solving skills, and can even help keep you energized all day - maybe even replacing the need for that second coffee after lunch!

2. No more worrying about pets at home.
If you have a new puppy, taking them to work ensures that you can stick to their schedule throughout the day, which can minimize accidents while house training. Those of us with senior pets, pets with chronic health issues, or certain behavioral issues feel less stressed at work when we don’t have to worry about how they’re doing while we’re not home. No more obsessively checking the pet cam feed or asking neighbors to drop in.

3. Cuddly colleagues melt stress.
Nothing beats cuddling with your cat or dog after a long day at work. It’s even better to have them napping right next to you as you sit through a difficult phone call or rush to meet a tight deadline. It’s well documented that interacting with pets stimulates the production of feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin which not only affect our mood, but also play important roles in digestion, immunity, and even controlling inflammation.

4. Pets benefit from socializing at work.
If you would like your kitten or puppy to grow up to be friendly, it’s crucial to start while they’re young. Introducing your pet to your coworkers and clients can help them adjust to spending time around different people. If your pet is already an adult but struggles with shyness, daily socializing can help them get out of their shell; just make sure they have a quiet place to unwind if they’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious while they adjust.

5. Pets make the best ice-breaker.
Having pets in the workplace can make it easier to get to know your coworkers. Pets bring out the best in us and make us realize how much we all have in common, from pet parents who bond over shared experiences, to pet-less coworkers who look forward to babysitting during client calls. Finally, something to talk about other than yet-another birthday card to sign, or who forgot to refill the Keurig’s water tank.