Dog- friendly workplaces: understanding what works and lessons learned through reflexive thematic analysis

The demand for pet-friendly practices has increased since the global pandemic, with some employees reporting a preference for working alongside their companion dogs. Despite increased scholarly interest in pet-friendly practices, gaps exist in understanding their real-world impact. This study examines companion-dog-friendly offices postpandemic, focusing on perceived antecedents and outcomes of pet-friendly practices. It aims to identify what works, what does not, and lessons learned. It draws on expertise from the animal welfare and the industrial, work, and organizational psychology sectors. Employing a qualitative approach, this study utilized semistructured, one-hour interviews with 14 participants who had experienced working in a dog-friendly office for a minimum of six months. The sample for this study comprised dog owners who brought their pet dogs to the office, dog owners who opted not to bring their pet dogs to the office, and non–dog owners who worked alongside colleagues who brought their pet dogs to the office. Analysis followed the six phases of reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019). The findings highlighted six pertinent themes relating to antecedents for sustainable pet-friendly practices and outcomes for organizations, teams, and individuals: (1) the impact of dog presence on well-being; (2) the need for organizational congruence with dog-friendly practices; (3) power dynamics engendered by dog-friendly practices; (4) presentation to the outside world; (5) continuous responsibility; (6) forethoughts and expectations. There was coherence across the six themes, regardless of the work environment, whether it was a corporate, nonprofit, or start-up setting. Interestingly, and perhaps unexpectedly, some of the non–dog owners in the participant sample emerged as among the strongest advocates for dog-friendly workplaces, while some dog owners’ discourse highlighted their reservations about an office full of multihousehold dogs. Dog ownership status does not appear to be indicative of a positive attitude toward a dog-friendly office environment. In conclusion, in the rapidly changing world of work, companion dogs have the innate ability to provide support to humans. The option to bring a companion dog to work can be considered an innovative and cost-effective reasonable adjustment. It can also be a component of an organizational well-being strategy. Dog-friendly office practices have the potential to be part of a broader corporate vision where organizations provide employees with choices in where, when, and how they work, thereby supporting individual needs and preferences.