Let’s talk about Bring Your Dog to Work Day!
This June will see countless dog owners taking their beloved pets into their workplace. Will you be one of them?
Dogs are at the heart of many mental health success stories. They provide comfort, support, and an innocent presence that is felt by those around them.
As an addiction referral service, we understand just how important it is to explore varied treatment options, including ones that involve dogs. For more information, please reach out to us on 0800 140 4690.
Friday 26th June is an exciting day for the dog owners amongst us. It’s the 28th annual event of Bring Your Dog to Work Day!
Pet Sitters International (PSI) started this yearly celebration to show appreciation for our pets, and encourage the public to support their local pet communities.
Whether it’s introducing your dog to your colleagues over a call, or walking around your workplace with your pooch by your side, this day is all about you and your pets.
In recent years, we’ve learned a lot about how dogs can support our mental health. Having a companion by our side through the good and bad times can help us regulate our emotions, avoid isolation, and feel a strong sense of gratitude for what we have.
In addiction recovery, this is especially important. Staying sober takes a great deal of energy, motivation and resilience, but with a dog by our side, our healing process can feel smoother.
Don’t underestimate the impact of a pet on your wellbeing! Dogs give us:
When we own a dog, we have a reason to get up every morning and stick to our routine. This sense of purpose can be hugely beneficial for our mental health, especially as it incorporates physical activity (dog walks).
Many dog owners would agree that their pet offers them emotional support, as their presence is comforting. This high level of companionship can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Just think about all the people who got a dog in lockdown (maybe you’re one of them?) At a time of total isolation, dogs helped people to stay connected and have a reason to keep going.
It is important to remember that dogs don’t fix tough situations. With or without a dog, addiction recovery will be challenging. Dogs simply help us cope in tough times.
We all know someone who has to stroke every dog they see, and every single time, it makes their day. But what’s happening scientifically when we bond with animals?
Stroking or cuddling a dog releases oxytocin (the bonding hormone), and can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone).
As you can imagine, if you wake up feeling stressed, anxious or miserable, being around a dog can be just what you need to regulate your emotions and boost your mood.
Getting sober can feel like a very lonely process, and having a dog can ensure some sense of belonging and togetherness, through:
When we talk about the benefits of dogs in addiction recovery, we’re talking about pet ownership.
However, there are also sessions you can have with trained therapy dogs, which can be incredibly beneficial for people in recovery. This is known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT).
When dogs are introduced to therapy sessions, it can help people relax into themselves, and open up about their feelings more easily. Being able to seek comfort from the therapy dog can be particularly healing when difficult subjects are brought up.
Whilst AAT isn’t for everyone, dog lovers who are battling addiction may find that it’s just what they need to feel comfortable getting started with therapy.
Firstly, as the saying goes, dogs are for life (not just for addiction recovery). We would never recommend getting a dog unless it’s feasible for you practically, financially, and emotionally.
So, who shouldn’t get a dog in addiction recovery?
If you’re on the fence, there are ways to explore dog ownership without making a commitment just yet. Offer to look after a loved one’s dog, visit dog shelters, do research online, and maybe even sign up for local dog sitting to get an idea of how a dog would fit into your life.
If you decide a dog isn’t right for you, you can still reap the benefits of animals, either through therapy or regular volunteering.
Bring Your Dog to Work Day invites discussions around whether dogs should be allowed in the workplace every other day of the year.
If you ask some people, allowing dogs in the workplace would change the game. It would help pet owners to spend more time with their dog, boost workplace morale, and potentially help with mental health.
It could also naturally create a more mindful environment, which would contribute to a healthier work culture.
On the other hand, dogs aren’t always easy to take care of. They could be significant distractions in the workplace, affecting concentration levels and productivity.
Many people have personal reasons for not wanting dogs at their work, whether it’s simply disliking dogs, having a fear of dogs, or being allergic. There’s a good argument that it would be unfair to introduce dogs to an environment where some people may struggle.
Dogs aren’t the only way to stay relaxed and regulated in addiction recovery.
There are many other ways you can create a calming home environment, and develop a calm mindset, without getting a dog. Try:
Owning a dog can connect you with your community in no time. Even casual dog walks can lead to conversations you would’ve never otherwise had.
There are also plenty of organised activities for dog owners, such as planned dog walks. For people in recovery, this is a brilliant opportunity to get out of the house, socialise, and stay in a solid weekly routine.
The bonus is that you already have something in common with people at these events. You may even be able to find an activity that’s specifically catered to people who own the same dog breed!
Dogs bring many therapeutic benefits to addiction recovery, whether as pets or as therapy dogs.
Think you would gain something from sharing your addiction recovery (and beyond!) with a comforting pooch?
Speak to one of our advisors about your treatment options on 0800 140 4690.
Below, we answer some common questions around this topic:
No, not all rehab centres allow pets. Some facilities choose to ban pets due to limited space, allergies etc.
However, plenty of rehabs in the UK welcome pets, including dogs, and even integrate them into therapy sessions.
Yes, dogs can help massively with mindful living. Dogs are naturally mindful, which helps their owners to stay focused on the present moment, and take time to sit with their emotions (1).
Yes, cats can absolutely support addiction recovery. Just like dogs, they help with emotional support, companionship, and routine.
However, as cats are lower maintenance than dogs, they can be perfect for people who want to feel close to a pet but don’t want the total lifestyle change that comes with getting a dog.
[1] https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets
