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Dogs in the workplace: a review of the benefits and potential challenges.

Foreman AM; Glenn MK; Meade BJ; Wirth O

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017 May; 14(5):498

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14050498

20049815

Pet dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs can be seen in workplaces with increasing frequency. Although dogs may provide many benefits to employees and employers, their presence may introduce additional hazards and concerns to the work environment. Therefore, decisions to accept dogs in the workplace may include many considerations including the health, safety, and well-being of employees, legal and cultural sensitivities, and animal welfare. The present paper serves to introduce the issue of dogs in the workplace and outline the potential benefits and challenges to their presence. The legal accommodations afforded to certain types of dogs in workplace settings are discussed, and the research findings pertaining to the potential benefits of dogs on human health and well-being are summarized. The paper concludes with considerations for human resource management personnel in the areas of diversity, employee relations, ethics and corporate responsibility, organizational and employee development, safety and security, and legal considerations, as well as suggested topics for future research.

Animals; Workers; Worker safety; Worker motivation; Work environment; Employees; Employee health; Hazards; Health effects; Health hazards; Safety; Mental health; Author Keywords: animal-assisted activities; animal-assisted interventions; pet effect; mental health

Anne M. Foreman, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505

IJERGQ

20170501

Journal Article

2017

5

1660-4601

HELD

Services

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

WV