Creating a Dog-Friendly Office: Enhancing Work Life with Pets Safely

The New Initiative for Dog-Friendly Offices

In September 2019, Freestitch Co., Ltd., located in Shibuya, Tokyo and led by CEO Osamu Kawada, launched the Dog Friendly Office Project with the motto "Live Richer with your Beloved Dog at Work!" This initiative aims to foster a work environment that embraces employees who live with pets, enhancing both work quality and the quality of life (QOL) of their furry companions.

Having consulted with specialists from the pet industry and various sectors, the project identifies key challenges faced by pet owners in the workplace. With a vision of creating a wonderful office environment that accommodates both employees and their pets, Freestitch is committed to implementing innovative services and products that support these families.

A New Approach to Puppies at Work

Recently, a staff member adopted a puppy that hasn’t completed its vaccination program, sparking a deep investigation into the conditions under which such a puppy can safely accompany its owner to the office. The project management team engaged in extensive discussions to devise workable solutions.

Currently, the guidelines stipulate that dogs must have completed their vaccinations for rabies and viral infectious diseases (a combination of five for dogs and three for cats) to join their owners at work. Pets lacking these vaccinations, or those whose owners have valid reasons for not vaccinating them, cannot be brought to the office. However, early socialization is crucial for puppies; even before their vaccinations are complete, they need to be acquainted with various environments and stimuli.

To address this, the project team, leveraging insights from veterinarians, has established a health certificate that evaluates whether unvaccinated puppies can adapt to the office setting. This certificate aims to maintain a safe and hygienic atmosphere while facilitating the puppies' healthy socialization.

Comprehensive Health Certificates for All Dogs

Initially, the health certificate was meant solely for puppies, but upon advice from Dr. Masaya Kobayashi from hiff cafe tamagawa, the scope was expanded. He emphasized the importance of verifying the health of all dogs taken to work, leading to the development of health certificates applicable to dogs at all life stages.

Previously, Freestitch asked employees bringing pets to submit proof of vaccination, but moving forward, a health certificate will also be required. This ensures rigorous management of the dogs' health, enhancing workplace safety.

Participating in Creating a Dog-Friendly Office

The health certificate designed is versatile, tailored to fit a variety of working environments. For companies aspiring to embrace a dog-friendly setting, Freestitch encourages them to utilize this resource and share their experiences, including any suggestions for improvement. The goal is to foster an increasingly comfortable environment where pets are welcome at work.

Future Support Initiatives

Looking ahead, Freestitch plans to expand support initiatives for employees who have senior dogs or pets requiring medication and other care. Information on these future efforts will be shared regularly, exciting all stake holders to participate in this journey.

Join the Dog Friendly Office Movement!

Freestitch wants to gather more companies and individuals interested in supporting the Dog Friendly Office Project. For those unsure of how to create a pet-friendly environment or lacking expertise in animal care, Freestitch offers assistance tailored to individual company needs.

Prospective partners are invited to complete a survey expressing their interest, as the project aims to engage community participation actively. Additionally, Freestitch has previously implemented measures such as reviewing employee benefits related to companion animals and creating agreements for employees who wish to bring their pets to work.

Freestitch emphasizes the importance of considering not just the pets coming into the office but also the well-being of employees who may not bring their pets. Tests and evaluations are conducted to verify that staff responsibilities are maintained despite the presence of animals.

Personalized Pet Care in the Office

Freestitch recognizes that every dog's character and training level is unique. Therefore, they offer tailored suggestions on how dogs can best navigate the office space. It is vital to identify the needs of each pet to reduce stress levels.

Freestitch remains dedicated to improving work life for its employees and their pets and welcomes any inquiries regarding their efforts to create a Dog Friendly Office. Feel free to contact:

- Yamamoto for office visits or interviews.
- Phone: 03-6910-5730 (Weekdays 10 AM – 7 PM)
- Inquiry Form: Contact Freestitch