Take Your Dog to Work Day Australia (TYDTWDA) has been created to celebrate the great companions that dogs are. Whether they have a 'job' to do such as Assistance Dogs, Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and service dogs employed as bomb sniffers, quarantine or border patrol, police dogs, and fire inspection dogs. Or whether they're employed in the best job a dog can find–as a companion. Take Your Dog To Work Day serves to spotlight our best friends and how they enhance our lives.

For thousands of years humans and dogs have shared a symbiotic relationship. Even before 7000 BC it is believed the earliest dogs cooperated with human hunter-gatherers, with both species sharing habitat and hunting the same prey. Humans and dogs found a common bond and relationship through working together. And this lengthy and loyal friendship is being celebrated on June 20 with Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Of course not all dogs are suited to the workplace and not all workplaces are suited to dogs. Certain guidelines need to be followed and there are a number of practical guidelines that employers can follow to determine the suitability of dogs within their workplace. Special consideration needs to be given to co-workers who are fearful of dogs or have pet allergies. And only dogs that are up to date with vaccinations and are well socialised–with people and other dogs–should be considered. Here are some basic guidelines and ideas to make this a success in your workplace.

Guidelines for TYDTWDA

Take Your Dog To Work Day Australia is a chance to bring people and pets together in a positive and productive way. This special day celebrates the great companions our four-legged and furry canine friends are. There are some important considerations that need to be made before you pack your pooch off to the workplace.

Organise an event: Talk to your boss or head of human resources about the possibility of hosting a Take Your Dog To Work Day event. It is important to make sure none of your co-workers have any immediate objections or concerns. Check whether anyone is fearful of dogs or suffers from pet allergies. If bringing a dog to your workplace isn’t an option then why not consider a dog free event. See our suggestions below.

Designate the dog/s: Not all dogs are suited to the workplace and not all workplaces are suited to dogs. Careful consideration should be given to the dog and more importantly how many dogs should come to work. A well-behaved dog that is quiet in temperament and friendly is a good example of what dog should be chosen. Several dogs in the workplace have the potential to become a little rambunctious or could have serious social implications. Always limit the number of dogs in an unfamiliar and enclosed environment.

Please consider these behaviour and health checks before committing any dog to this program:

• desexed
• toilet trained
• treated worms
• treated fleas
• non-aggressive
• disease free

Can’t pack the pooch?

Even if you can’t take your dog to work you can still organise an event. It can start with something as simple as a dogs breakfast (or morning tea) at your workplace. If your company can't allow your dog to be brought to work, then mobilize some doggy loving workmates and have a tea break where your creativity and organization can run wild and unleashed.

Some suggestions to make this a mutt-meaningful event include:

• Bring a cute photo
• Swap dog park stories
  
• Organise our version of Secret Santa – we like to call it a Mystery Mutt – by swapping your dog's favourite treat with a pool of pooch loving people. Pig’s Ear Anyone?
• Organise a collection for a local shelter/pound – this can include much-needed practical items such as towels, blankets or a toy for a homeless hound or raise funds through a gold coin collection.