Dogs in the Office Increase Productivity and Lower Stress

Companies looking to boost office productivity are paying attention to a trend that started in Silicon Valley startups: dog-friendly work environments. NYC iPhone app developers have been bringing their canine companions to work for years, and now traditional businesses like Blue Cross, among others, are following suit.

The result? Lowered stress levels, increased sense of community, and of course higher efficiency.

Says neuroeconomics professor Paul Zak of Claremont Graduate University, “it is not just ‘nice’ or ‘fun’ to have dogs at work, it is an effective way to improve productivity and profits.”

Myriad studies have shown the effectiveness of dogs and cats for managing stress and mitigating negativity in group environments like nursing homes and hospitals, so it’s no surprise to mobile app developers that the science supports the benefits of bringing pets to work.

Said researchers at the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “A pet dog can stimulate conversation – an ice-breaking effect that can alleviate social anxiety via a social catalyst effect. Companionship with a pet can alleviate separation anxiety and strengthen attachment.”

“There are probably three dozen people I know only because of my dog,” said Drew Herdener of Amazon, who’s enviable pet-friendly policies have drawn much positive attention to the company in spite of criticism from consumer groups worried about the e-commerce titan’s market-dominating sales strategies.

Other startups and technology companies on board with the pro-pet movement include Google, Mashable, Etsy, and hundreds of other small mobile development studios and veteran iPhone app developers.

iPhone app developers who bring dogs to work are happier, healthier, and get more done. Especially for startups where employees often stay late and work weekends, having a companion from home can make the environment much more positive and ease tension. Dogs at work are a good thing for all sorts of businesses — well, except perhaps dog-walking agencies.