Julianne Hough Promotes National Bring Your Pet To Work Day

Instead of working like a dog, on June 21st pet parents can work alongside their dog as companies across the country invite their associates to spend their nine-to-five with a four-legged friend in celebration of National Bring Your Pet To Work Day.

Promoting Purina’s PETS AT WORK initiative is actress, singer and two-time Dancing with the Stars champion Julianne Hough, who said:

“I’m really excited to be working with Purina as part of the Pets At Work movement,” says Hough. “My dogs are my family and are with me all the time, even when I’m working. I encourage everyone to join me and bring their pets to work on June 21!”

Above: Julianne Hough with her barking buddies Lexi and Harley, who often accompany their famous pet parent to filming locations.

“We’re proud to have Julianne Hough join our ‘Pets At Work’ movement as she clearly believes in the benefits of taking Lexi and Harley to work with her,” said Gordon Wade, director of marketing, Purina brand. “As pet lovers and owners, Purina associates enjoy the positive experience of bringing pets to work. Having pets walking through our offices every day makes for a warmer, friendlier environment at Purina, and we believe it helps with our productivity.

“We realize it won’t work for every company and every pet owner, but we encourage other companies to try it on ‘National Bring Your Pet To Work Day’ and see for themselves how bringing pets to work can be a real benefit – for pets and their owners.”

Along with daily health benefits, which include reduced blood pressure, decreased loneliness, help to lower cholesterol levels and increased physical activity, having a four-pawed pal in the work place also:

• Increases productivity and provides inspiration: Having Rover at the ready can help keep an employee relaxed and happy, thereby making work more enjoyable.
• Improves job satisfaction: At Purina, employee surveys show Pets At Work is a big benefit, and the company also believes it helps with employee retention.
• Encourages co-worker interaction: Pets add another layer of interaction between co-workers, and otherwise quiet employees can become more engaged when talking to a co-worker about their pets.
• Promotes healthy break time: Dog devotees tend to spend their breaks walking and caring for their four-legged friends. Even just taking a few minutes to play with a pet can help provide a mental break and lower stress.
• Projects a healthy work/life balance: For many people, pets play a significant role in their lives. Companies that encourage pets in the workplace show that they care about their employees and the balance between work and home.

For more information:

• visit www.petsatwork.com

Photos courtesy Purina; Photos by Jason Merritt/WireImage