Break out the kibble — or at least your industrial-grade lint roller: Friday is Take Your Dog to Work Day. The 10th anniversary, no less.
Down, boy!
Launched in 1999 by Pet Sitters International, a North Carolina-based trade group, the day gives people who work like dogs for a living the chance to spend eight delightful hours in an office-turned- kennel, provided their companies sign off on the notion.
“The association looks at this as a way to give back to the pet community and celebrate what great pets dogs make and to encourage their adoption,” said Beth Stultz, a PSI spokesperson.
Not everyone is chasing their tail with joy at the idea.
“Spare me,” said John Griffin of Denver. “I’m big-time allergic to dogs. You put me in a room with one and I’ll be hanging out the window gasping for breath.”
This runs counter to the enthusiastic panting at the website , which informs us: “Studies show that pets in the workplace boost employee morale, productivity and even sales!”
The movement, such as it is, harks back to Take Your Daughter to Work Day, which was supposed to be a way to show girls that they, too, could aspire to cubicle life.
Now, maybe your dog is interested in seeing how Mommy and Daddy put Alpo on the table. Perhaps it will learn to answer the phone and sort out those invoices from accounting.
And hey, why stop with dogs? Why not a generic Take Your Pet to Work Day?
Granted, this could pose challenges: The parrot talking out of school (BRAWK! The boss is an idiot!), the Burmese python bypassing the break- room vending machine for heartier fare (Um, has anyone seen the intern today?).
Among the local participants in Take Your Dog to Work Day are VisiTech PR and J.F. Sato and Associates.
“I read a study that a large percentage of employees will consider changing jobs for one where they can bring their dog to work,” said Lisa Wilson, VisiTech’s president. “Dogs are really important to people, so I think it is important for employers that have the right environment to allow dogs.”
Seven dogs share the offices and backyard at VisiTech, which is located in a converted Denver home. The dogs generally stay at their owners’ desks and are trained to obey hand signals. Owners rotate pooper-scooper duty.
“Dogs bring lightheartedness to the office and help to connect people,” Wilson said. “It is hard to be in a bad mood when a dog comes up to you for some attention.”
So woof. And don’t forget the lint roller.
William Porter: 303-954-1877 or wporter@denverpost.com
