Everyone knows a dog is man’s best friend, but did you know that according to the latest research from Open Universities, dogs also assist in reducing stress in humans?
According to the research, the presence of a dog not only reduces stress levels in the workplace, but increases productivity. It is documented that the productivity increases for dog patters. Apparently, the patter is documented to experience an increase in serotonin levels in the brain and an increase in natural oxytocin. Both work to relieve stress.
What if your dog doesn’t like pats?
This is not a problem for us or anyone visiting our office – our Schnauzer Ferdinand loves a pat and has been known to pat back.
Time for walkies
Studies have also shown that taking dogs for walks benefits not only the walker’s mental health, but their heart health, general fitness and wellbeing.
There is an old saying “nothing unites a team like a common enemy”, and while that is certainly the case for our lawyers with PEXA (a property law program), our shared experience of an office dog is a much more positive bonding experience.
Is there a downside you ask?
Provided your dog can be toilet trained, the answer really is no. There is concern by some employers that an office dog may cause distraction and reduce productivity, however in our experience and as documented in the research, the opposite is true.
Talk to your boss. It really is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!
For all family law advice (and pats from Ferdinand), contact one of our specialist family lawyers.
Tiyce & Lawyers – we are here when you need us.
Ferdinand the Schnauzer
