Take Your Dog to Work Day
By Gloria J. Towle
Board Member
First of all I would like to tell you that June is Adopt-A-Shelter Cat month and our girls at the shelter have come up with “Crazy Cat Days of June.” The adoption fee on all cats and kittens will be only $20. We have over 120 to choose from, half of which are kittens.
Also many of our cats have already been altered, which is a huge bonus and savings. Anyone who would like to adopt still needs to do an application and if the cat isn’t spayed/neutered, state law requires a $100 refundable deposit. This is a great opportunity … so don’t miss it!
Dogs across the globe will join their owners at work on Friday, June 21. This great event was created 15 years ago by Pet Sitters International and has continued to grow in popularity all over the country.
Although all of us at the Central Aroostook Humane Society have known this all along, the American Heart Association announced that pet ownership can reduce the risk of heart disease and a 2012 study released by Virginia Commonwealth University touts the benefits of dogs in the workplace, citing reduced perceived stress and increased job satisfaction for employees with their dogs at work. So not only are dogs improving our lives at home, but can also benefit us in the work place.
Since TYDTW Day’s inception, companies have increasingly embraced the event, allowing employees to bring their dogs to work for this fun summer Friday to support a good cause. PSI president Patti Moran estimates that less than 300 companies participated in the first event. Since that time, word about the event spread quickly and the popularity of the event has grown by leaps and bounds. She attributes the event’s success to the increasing role pets have come to play in our lives. “There’s no question pets enhance our lives, from reduced stress to increased physical activity. This special day provides pet lovers with a unique way to celebrate their dogs and give back to the pet community by promoting adoptions.”
PSI and its 2013 campaign partners encourage businesses, shelters and pet lovers interested in celebrating TYDTW Day to download the free 2013 Action Pack available on the official event Website, www.takeyourdog.com. The Action Pack includes step-by-step instructions for planning the event, customizable TYDTW Day materials and a sample dog-friendly work policy.
If you or your company considers joining in on the fun of bringing your four-legged friend to work, we would love to hear about it. And we would love to have some pictures to share also. Don’t forget our June Special on all cats … only $20. Please stop by and visit us at 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle. Our hours are from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, closing for lunch from 12-12:30. Please be responsible and have your pets spayed and neutered.
