Why dogs are the best office companions

A guest post from Ruby Morgan, Head of Sleep & Snacks at Alchemy.

So, my colleagues at Alchemy alerted me to an incredibly delicious fact last week while they were rubbing my belly. Honestly, I have the best job.

I, in fact, had more engagement on LinkedIn and Instagram last month than my human (and co-founder) Jess Morgan.

Therefore, the rest of the team decreed that I, Ruby, resident furry friend and Chief of Sleep and Snacks, should be more vocal about my experience in the studio and contribute more to the magical content.

I agreed. (woof woof).

What better way to start my writing career than by sharing some of my very brilliant insights into why we office dogs make the best companions?

You're welcome.

The rise of the office pooch

Do you get a rush of joy when you see your four-legged companion with their wagging tail after a long day at work? I don't blame you, it's only natural.

Now, imagine being surrounded by that kind of positive energy all day, at work. Stop, it's too much to bear I know.

But it doesn't have to be a dream. Businesses like Alchemy are embracing office pets, and I for one think it's about time.

Woof. I mean, yep. It's now the new normal to bring your furry friends with you and to embrace them as fully-fledged members of the team. Just check out my title for proof: Head of Sleep & Snacks. Sounds frivolous. It isn't. After all, Director doesn't just mean standing around telling people what to do all day. (Or does it? I never quite know with the humans.) In fact, my role is one of the most important. More on that later.

We're not alone either. Google, Ticketmaster, and challenger bank Monzo are just a handful of the larger companies that let employees bring their dogs to work.

Legends. Captains of industry. I salute you. (I mean I would if I could.)

This snackable (see what I did there?) article is for you if you're the kind of person who talks to dogs more than humans and brightens at the sight of a puppy. (Puppies are overrated if you ask me. They poop everywhere.)

I'm going to tell you everything you need to know about how a friendly dog could be a significant benefit to your business and your team.

We're the new stress fur-balls

Wouldn't it be delightful if we could all work in stress-free environments?

Yes, yes it would. But things don't always go to plan. The discovery that the humans have run out of teabags. Bad weather making the commute a bit soggy. The absolute worst: running out of the non-negotiable 3pm biscuit. (No, I do not eat them ALL.)

When my team are feeling a bit blue, or making strange grumbling noises at their desks, I'm always there for a cuddle and a comforting lick to let them know that everything is okay.

Once, I pulled on a doggy toy so hard while playing my FAVE game tug-o-war that I took one of our animators on a little ride around the office on their wheely chair. Oh, how they laughed. That felt great.

I'm so great.

Bottom line: we are very good for morale. Why? Because we dole out the love unconditionally.

I'm sensitive, you know.

Paws for productivity

What happens when humans work in a less stressful environment? They become more productive. Of course they do.

Yes, you might argue that going on a wheely chair ride around the studio, or having a cuddle, is distracting them from their work. But I have news for you. After that little break, they go back to their work feeling better, less stressed and more focused on the job at hand.

In a friendly workplace, work stops being labour and starts being a place where you can recharge a bit. Just like I need a good long walk every day, humans need connection, support, and dare I say it, a bit of love.

Speaking of walks: teams who take regular breaks from their screens are more efficient. It's not uncommon for some of the team to take me out at lunch for a walk (occasionally a pub lunch, yum). Sometimes they even take me as a group, which is the dream.

Bonding makes for better communication, better collaboration, and happier, more connected humans.

We're A-MAZING at networking

Seeing as my adorable furry face is plastered all over the Alchemy social channels, most of the humans who visit my team already know to expect me to greet them at the door. And they love it.

Who can blame them?

In fact, I'm thinking of requesting my title to be changed to Chief Greeter. What an idea.

Sure, there are occasional two-legged types who aren't keen on giving me a pat or a stroke. That's fine too. I'm great at reading a room. My team will also give me a little warning beforehand so that I know, and they know what to expect.

For those who do love a furry greeting, it's amazing how relaxed everyone gets, and the first conversations tend to always be about me. And that is absolutely fine with me. I love the attention. Our meeting room at the studio is so zen when I'm around. Everyone's chilled.

Not only that (and as the intro explains), I always get more attention than the humans, which means more conversations are started online, just because of my beautiful face and shiny coat.

Again, you're welcome.

The science bite

I don't know a whole lot about science. I am a dog after all. So I did some research.

Did you know that anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health issues have been shown to ease in the presence of pets? It's true.

According to one study, caressing a dog lowers cortisol levels, while social interaction between people and their dogs raises levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin.

What about fitness? How many people are willing to exercise first thing in the morning in the rain or snow? Not many. But my humans have no choice but to walk me, otherwise I get grumpy and fat.

And, as I mentioned earlier, teams who go for brief walks with their office dogs are more creative than those who sit at their computers all day.

It's a no-brainer.

I do not like walking when it's torrential outside, though. Screw that. Even I have standards.

My final thoughts

I'm convinced that having a furry friend like me around increases workplace morale and encourages communication and bonding. Creatures like me also genuinely help with stress and anxiety, and we can definitely break the ice in any room.

All I have to do is flash my gorgeous brown eyes and everyone melts like butter.

(mmmmm, butter.)

Bark. Sorry, I mean, but. But one thing you lot really need to think about is whether your work environment is suitable for a glorious creature like me, and whether I am suitable for where you spend your days.

Yes, I love being around people. But I need to be safe, and so do you.

I am fully trained, very well behaved, and I thrive in social environments. But some of my mates down at the river would be a nightmare here. So think hard, talk it through with your team, and make sure it's the right call before you welcome your four-legged companion into your workspace.

Communication is everything, after all.

Now, where's my squeaky toy? I think a couple of the team need a screen break.