To work with a dog: how companies in the US use pets to relieve employee stress

If you go to work for Cindy Paskey, one of the most powerful business owners in town, one of the job requirements will be a bit unusual. You must love animals at work, says USAToday.

Photo: IStock

Pasky, Founder, President and CEO Strategic Staffing Solutions. The company has 3600 employees and is represented in 46 states and 14 countries, welcomes pets. Like her husband Paul Huxley, who is the chairman of a staffing and consulting company better known as S3, Pasky loves animals.

On the subject: Odyssey of the black bear: the animal traveled 1600 km in 6 months to return to its native park

In an office in Detroit that occupies two floors in one of the city's historic buildings, three cats live on each floor. This is their permanent home and they have lived there ever since Pasky adopted them as kittens in Michigan Humane, the state's largest non-profit animal welfare organization, where Paskey serves as chairman of the executive committee.

At home, Pasca and Huxley have several other cats and dog Dorney, who frequents S3 and gets along great with feline friends.

Beneficial for business

So why is this important to Pasca, besides giving these cats a happy life?

It's good for business too.

Pasky is a pioneer in integrating pets into work life. But in recent years, it has become a trend across the country, especially after the pandemic, when many people adopted pets for the first time and were afraid to leave them at home alone until they finally returned to the office.

A survey last year of 500 senior executives found that about 60% planned to give employees more flexibility when it comes to their pets.

Of the 1500 employees surveyed with pets, 57% said they would be happy to return to work if they could bring their furry companion with them.

This is something that affects many Americans. Nearly 70% of US households (85 million families) own pets. At least 37 million millennials fall into this category.

Owning pets, and therefore spending time with them, isn't just important for today's workforce. Employers are also realizing that the benefits of being friendly to animals, from creating a better work environment to attracting talent, are good for business.

“People love animals,” Huxley says. “It creates a happier work environment.” It's just a great thing."

Office cats relieve stress, offer entertainment

Although S3 employees don't bring their pets on a regular basis, if the dog daycare is closed or something else is going on, someone can take their pet with them to work.

And in another S3 office, there is one day a week when everyone can bring their pets to work. In Detroit, office cats, among other things, help create a more homely atmosphere.

"They're great stress relievers," says Paxey.

Cats are very intuitive and know which employee needs a little more attention on any given day.

Plus, they're entertaining. One of the cats figured out how to activate the lock that opens the office door, so if someone gets blocked, he can come to the rescue.

In many ways, cats have become part of the office family, and employees love to bring their children or relatives to introduce them to the cats. Cats often have new toys, and everyone takes care of them.

Clients value office culture

Besides helping to attract employees and boost office morale, a pet-friendly environment is often an attractive selling point for clients, Pasca says.

“It becomes part of the criteria for selecting people,” she says. “Our culture sets us apart.”

Community engagement and a culture of philanthropy are integral to Pasca's vision for his company. Michigan Humane is far from the only organization Pasky is involved with, but it's a great example of how she's committed to making her native Detroit a better place to live.

Like the article? Support ForumDaily!?

Studies have shown that when people have pets, they are happier and healthier. Their communities and workplaces usually do too.

Pets make us happier and healthier

Matt Pepper, President and CEO of Michigan Humane and Chairman of the Board of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Welfare, says that if you have a pet, you're more likely to be active and less likely to die from a heart attack or stroke. Simply touching an animal can lower blood pressure.

“People love being with their pets and they love what their pets mean to them,” Pepper says. — If you want to be able to attract and retain young talent, you must include pets in your master plan. You have to have a parking space, you have to have a business that supports you. You have to have a work environment that supports people with their pets.”

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New Y.

Pasky saw this at S3, where she says her company's pet-centric philosophy has made her competitive when hiring employees.

“Ultimately, animals are great companions,” Paskey says.

Read also on ForumDaily:

What would New Year be without champagne: how to avoid a hangover and what helps relieve it

In Florida, an alligator crippled a man's hand when he decided to wash his hands in a pond

If you want to live longer, drink more coffee: studies have discovered the healing properties of the drink

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.