UBC’s School of Population and Public Health recognizes the important role that dogs play in the lives of our faculty, staff and students. Faculty and staff occasionally bring their dogs to the School building to provide animal companionship, increase well-being, and as a stress relief.
In keeping with SPPH’s Dogs in the Workplace Policy, we like:
- authorized,
- sweet-tempered,
- non-aggressive,
- happy being confined to their faculty or staff member’s office or shared space (with permission from co-workers), and
- quiet
pups, who are current with their vaccinations and are licensed. Nor do they cause damage in the form of “accidents”, leave behind excessive dog hair, or produce foul odours.
Interactions
We understand that others may have dog phobias or allergies, and ensure that dogs are kept out of public spaces, such as classrooms, meeting rooms, the kitchen, and other open public spaces. Also, if an issue (allergy or phobia) is identified, we take consultative steps to avoid contact.
Dogs in the SPPH Workplace
SPPH’s Health and Safety has created a Dogs in the Workplace Policy. All faculty and staff dog owners who wish to occasionally bring their canines to SPPH MUST review this policy, consult with – and receive approval from – with their supervisor, and sign the Dogs in the Workplace Policy agreement prior to bringing their dog to the building.
Once the form has been signed by both dog owner and their supervisor, please submit it to the SPPH HR Manager, who will keep it in the appropriate personnel file.
The health benefits of having dogs in the workplace
Visiting with a pet is good for mental and physical health because it can:
- reduce stress1, 2, 3,
- lower blood pressure2, 3, and
- reduce feelings of loneliness4, 5.
1 Friedmann, E. (1995). The role of pets in enhancing human well-being: physiological effects. The Waltham book of human-animal interaction: Benefits and responsibilities of pet ownership, 33-53.
2 Allen, K. (2003). Are Pets a Healthy Pleasure? The Influence of Pets on Blood Pressure. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12, 236. doi: 10.1046/j.0963-7214.2003.01269.x
3 Allen, K., Shykoff, B.E. & Izzo, J.L. (2001). Pet Ownership, but not ACE Inhibitor Therapy, Blunts Home Blood Pressure Responses to Mental Stress. Hypertension, 38, 815-820. ISSN: 1524-4563
4 Sable, P. (1995). Pets, Attachment, and Well-Being Across the Life Cycle. Health and Social Work, 40(30), 334-341. doi: 10.1093/sw/40.3.334
5 Wood, L., Giles-Corti, Billie and Bulsara, M. (2005). The pet connection: Pets as a conduit for social capital? Social Science & Medicine, 61, 1159-1173. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.01.017
Thank you to UBC Wellness Centre for this information