Convince your boss to get an office pet on World Mental Health Day

By Billian IT Solutions

08 Oct 2019

If you’re a full-time pet owner, you’ll understand just how much of an impact a furry friend can have on your health and wellbeing. Remember the time your dog broke loose on a walk in the park and, after hours and hours of searching, you were forced to head home pet-less with a sinking heart?

In an effort to be reunited, you posted the cutest pic you could find on Facebook with the hashtag #heartbroken. You were grateful to the hundreds of people that liked and shared your post, even those who would not be of any help in reuniting you with your beloved Archie.

I mean, Hilary, I know your intentions are good but why would the dog I lost in Accrington be roaming the streets of San Francisco?

Nevertheless, it gave you hope. You decided to call it a day and tried to get some rest. The following morning, you woke up to 12 notifications and 7 DMs. Your friends had tagged you in a picture of a dog that looked suspiciously like yours and left comments like:

“Is this Archie?”

“This dog looks just like Archie!!!”

Lo and behold, it was Archie. You let out a sigh of relief and vowed never to walk your dog again.

Every pet owner is bound to experience a stressful scenario like that at least once but it’s actually rare for pets to be the cause of stress. In fact, it’s scientifically proven that pets not only reduce stress, but also provide humans with a number of mental health benefits in both the home and the workplace.

Here’s the ammunition you need to convince your boss to get an office pet on World Mental Health Day. Let’s start with the obvious:

Pets will make the workforce happy

Have you ever pulled your face in disgust when your friend’s cat walked through the door? Unless you’re a dog person that hates cats for no reason whatsoever (or vice versa – a bit like Blackburn/Burnley fans), the answer will be no.

That’s because pets make people happy, to put it simply. Seeing and stroking and playing with a cute animal increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, lowers blood pressure and makes people feel calmer as a result. See – science!

 

Pets provide necessary distractions in the office

This is when your boss will ask, “what is a necessary distraction?”

Tough days are inevitable in any office. You’ve been staring at a computer screen for 4 hours without a break and the deadline for the project you’re working on has been brought closer unexpectedly.

On days like this, a dog stopping by your desk to say hello and show you the pointless object it’s been carrying around may be just what you need. Two strokes and a “what have you got there?” later will provide you with the necessary distraction (aka break) you needed to tackle the project at hand.

 

Pets will get the workforce on their feet

Despite family and friends with manual jobs telling you otherwise, sitting at a desk all day can be tiresome. Staying in the same position and staring at a screen for hours on end will make your bones ache and your eyes feel heavy.

It just so happens that dogs are needy. They need to be walked, fed and let in and out of rooms. It doesn’t take much exertion to help your pets, but little movements throughout the day will do the workforce a world of good without them even realising it.

Here at Billian, our office dog Archie is more than just a pet, he’s an integral part of the team. He encourages creativity (usually in the form of canine-related puns), offers motivational support and boosts staff morale. We all love having him around, especially when he’s been to the poodle parlour for a haircut and looks extra cute. 

Of course, there are some things to consider before you get an office pet. Before the big pitch, let your boss know that you’ve thought it through and know how much work is involved.

 

Things to think about

Are your co-workers comfortable having animals around? Do any of your co-workers have allergies? Will you need to implement a policy? Who will be responsible for making sure that your office pet is well-trained and well-exercised, to avoid it from becoming a real distraction?

Other than that, what are you waiting for? #WorldMentalHealthDay is the perfect time to share this with your boss! 

 

ABOUT US

Established in 1995, Billian designs and develops online booking systems and other travel technology solutions for customers worldwide. We have a range of standard products, but also offer bespoke development for companies that require something slightly different. We also have a dedicated web design division specifically for the travel industry. 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Billian IT Solutions

Latest news

1

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs Typhoon production in Samlesbury, Lancashire

Eurofighter deals secure thousands of jobs

24 Dec 2024

2

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP Grant McGeever and Sarah Smith MP

Rospen shares global reach and industry expertise with MP

23 Dec 2024

3

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase The Flow Group's Richard, Mick and Helen

The Flow Group acquires Blackburn based Modern Bookbinders in strategic asset purchase

23 Dec 2024

4

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance LeeThompsonfulfilmentcrowd

fulfilmentcrowd reports record-breaking performance

20 Dec 2024

5

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team The team

Record year for Grant Thornton Northern deals team

20 Dec 2024

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up
Nov Preston Tech Connection event banner-4.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2025 - 15 Jan 2025

Preston Tech Connection - January Meet-Up

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

R.I.S.E. and Shine
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

R.I.S.E. and Shine

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

08:45 - 11:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event
DSC9389
Networking
17 Jan 2025

LBV120 Magazine Launch Event

Lancastrian Suite, Town Hall, Chorley, PR7 1DP

08:30 - 10:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV118 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin