Bring your dog to work this Friday

Have you always wanted to bring your dog to work with you? Well, this Friday. June 23, you have the perfect opportunity to bring your pet pooch to the office as it has been declared as National Bring Your Dog to Work Day.

In a bid to make Ireland a more dog-friendly place, the country's largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, has launched an exciting new campaign calling on workplaces around Ireland to allow dog lovers bring their pets to work for the day.

Dogs Trust is offering a limited number of goodie bags to workplaces welcoming dogs to their premises on Friday, and will even be calling into some of the some of the dog-friendly workplaces on the day with some tasty treats for canine colleagues and their humans too!

If you have never brought your dog to the office before, the Dogs Trust says there is no need to worry as, once you sign up to take part, they will send you out a welcome pack including hints and tips that will ensure the day runs smoothly for the entire office.

Suzie Carley, Executive Director Dogs Trust said;'Studies have found that bringing pet dogs to work can reduce stress and make the job more satisfying. Stroking a dog is proven to elevate the production of happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine, which in turn lowers blood pressure and reduces stress.'

Suzie continued: 'With over 40% of all Irish households owning a pet dog, Dogs Trust is encouraging organisations to join this fun initiative and allow dogs into workplaces, which we hope will boost morale, create a more satisfied and productive workforce and help make Ireland the best country in the world to be a dog.'

Dogs Trust is encouraging anyone taking part on the day to share some photos of themselves with their dog across social media by tagging @DogsTrust_IE and using the hashtags #BringYourDogToWorkDay and #DogFriendlyIreland