If the fur is flying around the office today and you hear a little more whimpering coming from your boss’s office, don’t jump to any doggone conclusions that things are worse than you thought.

Those sounds just may be coming from his or her four-legged friend.

Friday June, 25^th was Take Your Dog to Work Day. The Humane Society of the United States and Petplan are using the day to ask businesses to consider programs that allow employees to bring their dogs to work.

According to a survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, nearly one in five companies in the U.S. allow pets in the workplace.

Studies have shown that employees who bring their dogs to work tend to be more efficient, happier and healthier in the workplace, the organizations claim.

“We share everything with our four-legged family members – our joys, our sorrows, sometimes even our lunch. It seems only natural that we also share our work lives with our pets,” says Natasha Ashton, co-founder of Petplan.

If you can’t quite convince the boss of the benefits of bringing Fido to work, you might want to get him or her a copy of “Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces,” published by the HSUS.

“In the midst of tough times, employers can improve morale and support the human-animal bond by relying on ‘Dogs at Work’ to develop and implement a workable – and free – program that works for everyone,” says Jennifer Fearing, the organization’s chief economist.

And in case you were wondering, the HSUS says 50 dogs come to work at its three offices in Washington, D.C. They are kept behind baby gates in each employee’s cubicle.[1]