Lifestyles

They won't ask their boss for a raise or surf the Internet during business hours. Their only compensation is a bowl of water, a dish of food and a few bathroom breaks.

Edgar and Ellie are dogs. They go to work with store co-owners Tom Bedger and Jeff Pierce.

Today might be the 10th national Take Your Dog to Work Day, but Edgar and Ellie go to work every day. Nearly one in five companies nationwide allows pets in the workplace, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

Take Your Dog to Work Day was started in 1999 by Pet Sitters International, an educational association that represents more than 7,900 pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad.

Today's event celebrates the great companionship dogs give and encourages individuals to adopt dogs from local shelters and rescues.

Pet Sitters International spokeswoman Beth Stultz says her company came up with the event as a way to give back to the animal community from which they earn a living.

"This event has worked in a variety of businesses, and it is growing every year," she says. "Our mission is even greater this year with so many dogs being abandoned from people losing their homes from the housing crisis and natural disasters. We want businesses to open their doors for one special Friday and see the human-animal bond."

Edgar, a 13-year-old Giant Schnauzer, and Ellie, a 4-year-old Briard French herding dog, are perfect examples of the effect dogs can have on employees at work.

"Edgar and Ellie are both calm and reserved dogs," Pierce says. "They are so used to being around people that they are well-behaved. ... They add an element to the shop that makes it less intimidating. There are some people who just come here to see them and bring them treats."

Having a dog at work is more than just time spent with man's best friend. Dogs can calm and sooth a nervous patient or greet a new customer. Research has shown that dogs can have a calming effect in the workplace, says Gretchen Fieser, director of marketing for the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in the North Side.

"Studies have shown that when a dog is around, people's blood pressure slows down, as do their metabolic functions and breathing," she says. "Dogs are great companions and can be a great addition to a work environment as long as they don't damage equipment or make a mess or become a distraction."

Making sure those kinds of things don't happen requires preplanning, says American Kennel Club spokeswomen Daisy Okas. Her company, which allows dogs, has rules. For example, it is not appropriate to bring young puppies to work or dogs that bark a lot, and the workspace has to be able to accommodate the animal.

"Having dogs in the workplace is a chance for co-workers to interact and get to know one another," she says. "Because they want to meet the dog. This event -- and the fact that there are people who take their dogs to work every day -- is a testament to our love of dogs.

"Dog ownership is rising, and, as work weeks have gotten longer, people have tried to figure out ways around doggie day care and dog walkers. Plus, there are lots of small dogs that can be carried in bags and purses and be brought to work.

"Dogs today are more than pets. They are treated like members of the family."

Just ask David and Cindy Purnell, owners of Post & Rail Men's Shop in Ligonier, about 2-year-old Cedar, a female golden retriever, whom they treat like a child. They also have a statue of a dog out front which has an "Open" sign hanging around its neck.

"The kids love Cedar," David Purnell says. "And when women come in and she hears a higher tone of voice, her tail wags and you can tell she is happy. Of course, we are biased about having a dog in the workplace, but golden retrievers are a special breed and a people type of dog. My customers love her. There are some who come in just to see her."

Purnell says any negativity toward having a dog in the store is minimal and that he will take the dog into the back if someone is allergic or afraid.

"Those situations have been minimal," he says. "She would be lonely all day if we left her at home. We love to see her interacting with our customers, especially the kids. She is part of our family, and also part of our business."

At one time, Smart Parts, near Latrobe, had 13 dogs on site, but the place is down to three. When brothers Bill and Adam Gardner started the paintball parts manufacturing business in 1989, they brought their dogs to work, and employees followed suit.

So these days, Winnie, a 3-year-old female Miniature Pinscher; K.C., a 7-year-old female mix; and 2-year-old Tasha, a female Doberman Pinscher, can be seen on site. There are gates set up and certain places where the dogs are not permitted.

"The owners are dog lovers," says Valetta Mowry, human resources manager and accountant at Smart Parts. She stops by the home of John Davis, a fellow employee, to bring Winnie to work. "Winnie's owner is in sales, and it is not feasible to have her with him, so I bring her with me.

"Everyone really likes these dogs, so why leave them home when they can be here? It is cool to have the dogs here."

Robyn Terwilliger, co-owner of Duncan True Value Hardware in Jeannette, brings Chuck, a 10-year-old Bichon, to the store. She and husband Ken decided to bring the dog to work after their children left home.

"Wal-Mart has its greeters, and Chuck is our greeter," Robyn Terwilliger says. "When people come in, he smells their shoes and invites them in. He doesn't bark a lot, and he works a full eight hours, sometimes more. I think dogs are social and they need to be stimulated. If he was at home all day, he would be bored. He even likes the mailman."

Dogs certainly are part of the family business at Hearth & Home Furnishings in Zelienople. Vice president Laura McDaid says they have three dogs -- Riley, 10, Buddy, 6, and Petey, 4 -- in the office. All are Labrador retrievers. The trio stay in an office but can be seen through the glass.

"People can relate to them; we see a lot of dogs sitting in peoples' cars in the parking lot, so we know they like dogs," McDaid says. "They are part of the family, and, with people spending more time at work, it is easier to bring the dog with you. Of course, there are people who might be hesitant, and we are aware of that. But most people like to make a fuss over them. They love seeing them and ask about them."

Graphic designer Andrea Brichacek says her boss, Shawn O'Mara, prompted her to bring Moe, her teacup Chihuahua, to work at ocreations in the South Side.

When she didn't bring Moe, co-workers kept asking about him. "And I also felt bad leaving him at home. He is so small and can sit on my desk and not bother anyone. He brightens up everyone's day. There are 50-year-old men who lie on the floor and play with him."

Barry Kemper brings his girlfriend Amy Kraus' dog Benny, a 5-year-old Labradoodle, to his company, American Mortgage Finance, in the North Hills.

"He hangs out in the office and waits for the sales reps and Fed Ex guy and UPS guy and mail guy to come and bring him treats, which they do," Kemper says. "I even take him to the bank, where they sometimes have pet day. Everybody loves him and wants to take him home with them, but I would be in big trouble with my girlfriend if I let that happen."

For the past 10 years, Judge Sue Haggerty has brought a dog to court in Saxonburg. Her newest is Abby, a 7-year-old Labrador retriever. The judge initially wanted to have some protection when leaving the courthouse late at night.

"Dogs are nice companions," she says. "When she was young, I brought her in a cage, but she outgrew that. She stays by my side, and she could be sound asleep, but she knows when the mail lady opens the door. She wakes up right away, because she knows there are treats."

Haggerty doesn't take Abby into the courtroom during a trial. She joked with a district attorney that if he heard snoring, it was not her, but Abby. Abby has helped make court a little less stressful for young victims of sexual assault, Haggerty says.

"Children are nervous, because court can be intimidating with me in a black robe and sitting behind a bench, but Abby helps make them more comfortable," she says. "There was one case where Abby sat with the child.

"So you see, she is more than a pet. She is a companion and a friend.

Dog day preparation

Do an office check: Check with management and co-workers to see if anyone is allergic to, afraid of or opposed to you bringing your dog to work for this one special day.

Puppy-proof your workspace: Remove poisonous plants, hide electrical cords and wires, and secure toxic items such as correction fluid, permanent markers, etc. Amy office items in question should be placed out of your dog's reach.

Bathe and groom your dog before its office debut: Be sure its shots are up to date. If your dog appears sick, don't bring it to the office. Dogs that are aggressive or overly shy should not accompany you to work. Instead, consider bringing a favorite picture of your pooch.

Pack a doggie bag: Include food, treats, bowls, toys, a leash, Comfort Zone with D.A.P., paper towels, cleanup bags and pet-safe disinfectant, just in case. If you are routinely in and out of your workspace, consider bringing a portable kennel for your dog's comfort and your piece of mind.

Plan your pet's feeding times carefully: And be sure to choose an appropriate area for your dog to relieve himself afterward.

Avoid forcing co-workers to interact with your dog: Dog lovers will make themselves known. To avoid pet accidents, monitor the amount of treats your pet is being given. Remember that chocolate, candy and other "people food" should not be shared with dogs.

Have an exit strategy: Although most dogs enjoy Take Your Dog to Work Day, your pet might not. Should your dog become overly boisterous, agitated or withdrawn, consider taking him or her home. Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle while you work.

Source: Pet Sitters International

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