Today, June 22, is Take Your Dog to Work Day®.

The annual event encourages employers to allow pets in the workplace and promotes pet adoptions from shelters, humane societies, and rescue groups.

Take Your Dog to Work Day was started in 1999 by Pet Sitters International. Companies can learn more about the observance at www.takeyourdog.com.

For participating companies, the site offers helpful guidance for the day—or any time pets are allowed in the workplace. The website offers these 7 tips for “dog day success”:

1. Do an office check. Check with management and coworkers to see if anyone is allergic, afraid of dogs, or opposed to you bringing your dog to work.
2. Puppy-proof your work space. Install a pet gate to keep pets safe, secure, and comfortable. Remove poisonous plants, hide electrical cords and wires, and secure toxic items such as ink cartridges and permanent markers.
3. Make sure your dog is fit for work. Be sure your dog’s shots are current. Make plans to have your dog bathed, groomed, and free of internal and external parasites before accompanying you to work. Be mindful of your dog’s “work-readiness.”
4. Prepare a doggie bag. Include food, treats, bowls, toys, leash, paper towels, clean-up bags, and pet-safe disinfectant.
5. Plan your pet’s feeding times carefully. Plan your dog’s feeding time around your work schedule and be sure to choose an appropriate area for your dog to relieve himself afterward.
6. Don’t force co-workers to interact with your dog. Be mindful of fellow employees’ time and space.
7. Have an exit strategy. Should your dog become overly boisterous, stressed, agitated, or withdrawn, consider taking him or her home or plan in advance for your professional pet sitter to offer a midday check-in visit.

In light of the observance, here are a few HR.BLR.com articles related to pets in the workplace:

• Canine Colleagues Contribute to Workplace Culture
  
• Gone to the Dogs: Rules on Service Animals to Become Stricter
  
• What Do Dogs Have to Do with HR?