Dogs at Work? A Veterinary College Put the Idea to the Test

What if bringing your dog to work could make stressful jobs a little more manageable?

That question is becoming increasingly relevant as burnout rises in high-pressure professions, including veterinary medicine. Veterinarians and veterinary staff face emotionally intense situations every day, from emergency cases to euthanasia decisions, all while navigating staffing shortages and long work hours.

A new study from Purdue University explored employee experiences with a “Dogs-At-Work” (DAW) program in a veterinary college. Researchers focused on employee wellbeing and resilience. The results suggest that employees feel that dogs may offer meaningful emotional, social, and even physical benefits at work, although the picture is more nuanced than simply “dogs reduce stress.”

The program studied has existed at the studied veterinary college since the 1990s. Employees who qualify can bring their pet dogs to work after passing a behavioral evaluation and meeting health requirements. This program is carefully managed and designed to balance employee wellbeing, safety, and animal welfare.

Why Researchers Studied This

Veterinary medicine has unusually high rates of stress and burnout. Many professionals report emotional exhaustion and thoughts about leaving the field entirely.

The researchers used an approach called the “Resilience Portfolio Model,” which looks at the different strengths people use to cope with stress. These strengths fall into four categories:

• Meaning-making strengths: Finding purpose and identity in work and life
• Regulatory strengths: Managing stress and maintaining healthy habits
• Interpersonal strengths: Building supportive relationships
• Environmental strengths: Feeling supported and safe within one’s surroundings

The researchers examined the presence of these resilience factors in both employees participating in the DAW program and those not participating.

The Study at a Glance

The research team surveyed 88 faculty and staff members at the veterinary college:

• 23 employees participating in the DAW program
• 65 employees not participating in the DAW program

Study participants completed validated mental health and workplace wellbeing questionnaires and answered open-ended questions about their experiences. The researchers examined stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, work engagement, job satisfaction, and turnover intentions.

The Surprising Main Result

Employees scored similarly on mental health and wellbeing measures, regardless of whether they brought their dogs to work or not. However, both groups showed better wellbeing than what is commonly reported by veterinary medicine employees in general. The workplace as a whole appeared relatively resilient and healthy compared to broader industry trends.

The researchers suggest this may indicate that the overall workplace culture, including the presence of the DAW program, is contributing to a supportive environment for everyone, not just dog owners.

Dogs Still Made a Difference Emotionally

Although the mental health and wellbeing measures did not show differences, the responses to open-ended questions told a more nuanced story. Many participants felt dogs improved mood, stress levels, workplace atmosphere, physical activity, and social connection. Employees also believed the dogs themselves benefited from being at work rather than staying home alone all day.

Employees consistently described dogs as helping them cope emotionally during stressful days. One participant described workplace dogs as “puppy therapy.” Another stated “It’s really nice to have your pet with you, especially when you have a stressful week.” And another employee said “My dog in my office helps me because I see how happy she is to see me at the end of the day.” Some employees felt that the dogs helped “bring people together.”

Challenges and Logistics to Consider

The study did not ignore the downsides. Participants identified unequal access and behavioral problems as concerns. Employees without offices, or those working in restricted areas, were not able to participate in the DAW program. Some employees worried about poor behavior, such as barking, charging gates, and disruptive actions.

Participants provided logistical recommendations that could enhance any bring-your-dog-to-work program. These recommendations included annual behavioral re-evaluation, ongoing enforcement of protocols, easily visible identification for approved dogs, clear policies, employee buy-in, support for employees not participating in the program, and attention to animal welfare.

The researchers emphasized that successful dog-friendly workplaces require thoughtful planning and ongoing management.

The Bottom Line

This study did not find dramatic statistical differences between employees who brought dogs to work and those who did not. But it did reveal something equally important – overall, people felt that dogs improved their work experience.

And in a profession struggling with burnout and staffing shortages, even small improvements in daily wellbeing may matter a great deal.