Whether you adopted a pet during the pandemic or knew someone who did, you’ve probably met one of the millions of dogs and cats alone (plus many other furry, feathered, or scaly friends) who found a new home.

Over the last few years, many owners have discovered the benefits of bringing home a four-legged companion, from entertainment to emotional support. But now, as more and more pet parents return to the office or hybrid work models, how are they (and their animal counterparts) coping with their newfound separation?

More Than Just a Furry Friend

Throughout the pandemic, there were just as many reasons people adopted animals as there were four-legged friends brought home. While everyone’s motivation for adding an animal to their home is different. However, according to a poll by Rover, the top two reasons for adopting a dog or a cat were emotional support and happiness (41 percent) and needing something positive in their life (39 percent).

The past four years have been physically and mentally challenging for all, but those who chose to adopt an animal saw some significant benefits. Ninety-three percent of respondents to the Rover poll said their pandemic pet improved their physical and mental well-being, and more than 80 percent said it made living and working at home more enjoyable.

Pets have scientifically measurable health benefits, as well. Interacting with animals can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, elevate serotonin and dopamine levels, and reduce the risk of heart attacks. They can encourage owners to exercise and build healthy routines.

Even smaller critters like lizards, hamsters, and goldfish bring companionship and joy to their owners, helping reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. There’s much to like about our little (or not-so-little!) friends.

When Owners Are Away, Will Pets Play (at Home)?

Pets and their work-from-home owners formed incredibly tight bonds, making the return to the office much harder. Animals unused to being left alone display separation anxiety, from destructive activities to howling or hiding. 

A Forbes Advisor Survey found that only 10 percent of owners said their pets showed no signs of increased stress while returning to work. Two-thirds of respondents said they’d spent more money on their companions in the last six months to help them adjust to being alone, including intelligent monitoring devices, dog walking services, and daycare.  

Fortunately, workplaces recognize the benefits of encouraging the bond between employees and their animals. According to a study by Banfield Pet Hospital, businesses with pet-friendly policies saw 42 percent increased productivity and 31 percent increased retention. 

Animal companions are making their way up the corporate ladder, too. Seventy-five percent of C-suite executives reported pet ownership had made them better, more compassionate leaders, leading 59 percent to say they’ll allow more flexibility for employees to stay remote with their animal coworkers.

Whether employees work from home with Fluffy or take Fido to daycare while they go to the office, there are many ways to simultaneously increase productivity and pet (and owner!) happiness.

Four Tips for Keeping Your Pet (and Yourself) Happy During the Workday

If you’re trying to navigate a return to the office while easing your pandemic pets—and yourself—into a new routine, here are a few more tips to consider.

1. Build Routines at Work and Home

While flexible schedules have become a perk of working from home, animals and people of all types benefit from having a structure to their days. It’s essential to make regular times for walks, food, and play so you and your pet have something to look forward to. If you’re working from the office a few days a week, try to find times that fit into your remote and in-person routines.

2. Take Your Meetings on a Walk

If you have a dog who needs to get outside and many phone calls, why not combine the two? Walking meetings have many benefits, including exercise for you and your pet, and with communications apps that seamlessly transition between devices, you can easily take your sessions on the go.

3. Connect with Pet-owning Colleagues

One early perk of video conferencing solutions was seeing coworkers’ dogs and cats as they wandered on screen. One way to keep that sense of community is to start a group chat to share pictures and stories of your dog (or cat, bird, or lizard) and their work-from-home antics. Don’t forget to include non-pet-owners in the chat, too, so they’re not left out of the fun.

4. Take Advantage of Pet-friendly Policies

With so many pet parents reluctant to leave their companions alone all day, companies are enforcing policies to entice their employees to return to the office. Whether allowing workers to bring their dogs to their desks, giving flexible time off for vet appointments or daycare pickups, or providing options for pet insurance, check in with your supervisor to see if there are ways to ease the transition to hybrid or in-person work.

There are many ways to make working—from home, in person, or hybrid —more productive while keeping you and your pet happy and healthy. Mitel’s remote and hybrid working solutions provide options for maintaining connections with your human colleagues and animal companions.