For the 2nd week in a row, we have story on dogs. Workforce's Pet Projects (registration required) covers the growing trend of employers letting employees bring pets to work, especially dogs.
The article says pets in the office reduce stress and increase employee loyalty.
As proof, the article cites a study showing that "pets in the workplace reduce stress, absenteeism and turnover and improve morale."
In addition to allowing pets in their offices, companies are starting to offer pet benefits. Examples from the article include:
- Home Depot Inc. offers veterinary pet insurance. It was one of 2,500 companies with such a benefit in 2011, up 4 percent from a year earlier, according to California-based Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.
- At the State University of New York in Delhi, pets of staff and faculty members receive free medical care and grooming as part of the hands-on learning of veterinary students
The pet industry generates close to $50 billion in revenue, was one of the few industries to grow through the Great Recession, and shows no signs of slowing down.
No wonder we like pet trends so much.
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