Animal -friendly offices are not only a trend – it is a real benefit for people, animals and organizational culture. When the presence of quadrupeds is well planned and communicated, it brings a positive impact on well -being, cooperation and general satisfaction with work. Animal -friendly offices support the balance between professional and private life, reduce stress and create a more open, friendly work environment. Animals have a positive effect on our physical and mental health. This is fantastic support in building a healthy work environment and counteracting professional burning.
Animals – our daily, four -legged therapists
Many animal carers agree on one thing: their four -legged friends not only keep their company, but also have a deep, positive effect on mental health. Global study conducted by Mars and Calm1 – covering over 30,000 animal carers from 20 countries, including Poland – clearly shows that contact with the quadruped soothes emotions and reduces the level of stress. As many as 85% of Polish respondents declare that their pet positively affects their well -being and mental health. In the face of stress, more than half (53%) of respondents choose the company of their pet instead of contacting a partner (32%), family (24%) or friends (12%). For many people, it is a dog or a cat that is the greatest source of peace and balance – as much as 85% claims that the very presence of a pet has a soothing and therapeutic effect on them. Animals are not only emotional support – it is also a catalyst for good habits. Dog guardians take breaks at work more often, go out into fresh air and have more opportunities to move. The pet can subtly remind you that it’s time to move – one look or nose to break away from the monitor. As many as 78% of guardians claim that their animal reminds them of the need for a break. It is these short moments of regeneration that help increase productivity and improve concentration.
Dog in the office – the employee and the company are gaining
Spending time with our animals helps to reduce stress and supports our mental well -being, which has a huge impact on professional efficiency. Appropriate focus is the key to good work, and lowering the level of stress is necessary to achieve concentration. In a voltage -free environment, work simply goes better – especially when our pets are next to it. Nine out of ten dog carers who took the dog to work with them, believe that their pet significantly improved the quality of work, including their satisfaction and happiness, general well -being and positive attitude to coming to the office – results from a study on pets at the workplace carried out by the brand Cesar2. This study showed that dog -friendly policy can have a positive impact on company culture, employees’ experiences and their loyalty and trust in the employer. As many as 93% of respondents at animal -friendly workplace reported a positive attitude to going to work. In addition, 87% of employers with policy friendly to dogs in the office claim that this policy increases the likelihood of employees’ return to the office. From an Employer branding perspective, companies that implement animal -friendly policies gain a competitive advantage. The office in which dogs are welcome becomes more authentic, flexible and friendly – and this translates directly into the loyalty and satisfaction of employees.
The presence of a dog in the office can also have a positive effect on team relationships. The animal becomes a natural “Ice-Breaker”-it helps in establishing conversations, builds a sense of community and creates a more friendly atmosphere. Employees in animal -friendly offices more often declare better relations with colleagues, higher motivation and greater attachment to the company. In addition, many people feel less stressed, knowing that they do not have to hurry home to take care of a lonely waiting pet. Especially since, as the global study of Mars “Pet Parent Study” showed3for more than a third of animal carers, their pet is the most important being in their lives. Among the millennials (40%) and representatives of the Z generation (45%) this percentage is even higher. When we leave the house, we do not like to leave our animals alone – every third guardian has remorse.
Creating animal -friendly spaces
The dog in the office is not only relaxation and a smile – it is also a specific organization. In order for the introduction of the pets to the workplace without interference, it is worth taking care of a few key elements: clear participation rules, appropriate facilities (e.g. bowls with water, resting places, cleaning measures), training of employees and taking into account the needs of people who are not animal guardians. This approach is well illustrated by the example of Mars, which has been implementing the “Pets Work at Work” program for years in its offices around the world – including in Poland. This program consists of a holistic approach to the presence of animals in the office. In the company spaces, dog -friendly zones were separated, cooperation rules were prepared, and also designed infrastructure supporting both employees and their pets. The program is based on the principle of mutual respect and responsibility – for the good of all office users.
– Animals are quiet guards of our well -being. They can calm down when stress reaches its zenith, and remind us of how important a moment is for themselves. Their presence in the office not only makes it easier for us to function, but also builds a sense of community. In Mars, we believe that animals make the world a better place – and this faith is also reflected in our offices. As a company, we have been creating a work environment for years, in which quadrupeds are welcome, because we know how positively they affect the well -being, mental health and social relations of guardians. The Pets Work at Work program is a well -thought -out initiative that combines passion for animals with concern for people – by providing a friendly space, clear principles and everyday support for our teams and their pets – says Marzena Ignaczak, External Affairs at Mars Polska.
More and more companies, also in Poland, allow you to take dogs to work on a designated day of the week, and even every day. Animal friendly office and Pet Friendly’s attitude is not a temporary fashion, but a real response to the needs of modern employees and an effective way to support team well -being. This year, June 20 is a special day in companies, because for the 27th time the international day of taking the dog to work is celebrated (“Take Your Dog to Work”). The animals support our emotional balance in many ways – also during working hours. Therefore, it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity to celebrate together, not only so that our four -legged friends would not stay at home, but also Proband benefits from their calming presence.
[1] The study was conducted by YouGov PLC at the request of Mars. The total number of respondents amounted to 31,299 adults from 20 markets (Great Britain: 2507; Brazil: 2502; Canada: 1347; Germany: 1584; Indonesia: 2510; India: 1001; Mexico: 1567; Malaysia: 1036; Poland: 1349; USA: 3748; China: 1054; Belgium: 1084; 1525; The study was conducted online from February 19 to March 31, 2025. The data has been prevailed at the national level to reflect the population of dog and cat owners (18+) in a given country.
[2] Cesar study from 2023:
[3] Mars Pet Parent Study study, 2024:
Source of information: Mars Polska
