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Event creator Pet Sitters International encourages businesses to hold in-person or virtual events to celebrate the great companions dogs make and promote their adoption.

KING, N.C. (June 8, 2022) — Companies across the globe will put the spotlight on employees’ dogs on Friday, June 24, hosting in-person and virtual celebrations in observance of Pet Sitters International’s 24^th annual Take Your Dog To Work Day^® (TYDTWDay).

Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters, established TYDTWDay in 1999 to give back to the pet community from which their members earn their living. The event was created to be a unique way to celebrate the great companions dogs make and encourage their adoptions from local shelters, rescue groups and humane societies.

“Take Your Dog To Work Day has grown into a global phenomenon, with adorable pups bringing joy to offices—and social-media timelines—across the world one fun summer Friday each year, all for a good cause,” said PSI Founder and CEO Patti Moran. “We can’t wait to see the creative ways that companies will celebrate pets and promote their adoption this Take Your Dog To Work Day.”

PSI encourages businesses and pet parents to visit www.petsit.com/toolkit to download a free 2022 TYDTWDay Event Toolkit that includes a variety of celebration tips and ideas—as well as a sample "dogs at work" policy, employee participation form templates and more.

While TYDTWDay was initially created with in-person celebrations in mind, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted PSI to highlight virtual celebration options as well.

“Now, more than ever, employers are looking for ways to boost employee morale,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “Whether employees are working virtually or have returned to the office, Take Your Dog To Work Day provides a fun opportunity for companies to celebrate their employees’ pets while also supporting local pet adoption efforts.”

“With research showing what a positive impact dogs had on their owners during the pandemic, celebrating that special human-animal bond seems even more important this year,” Stultz-Hairston added.

PSI provides several in-person celebration ideas:

• Host a pet-care “lunch and learn” by inviting a professional pet sitter or other pet professional to present a presentation on an important pet topic during lunch.
• Plan a Fido fundraiser such as a silent auction or pet photo contest and donate the proceeds to a local shelter or rescue group of your choice.
• Hold a canine contest such as best trick, best outfit, or pet and owner look-alike to add fun and increase participation on the day.

There are a variety of virtual celebration options as well:

• Invite employees’ dogs to a virtual staff meeting so workers can meet one another’s dogs virtually.
• Share photos of employees’ dogs on your company blog or social-media sites to celebrate the important role dogs (or other pets) play in the lives of employees.
• Invite a local animal shelter or pet rescue to virtually introduce adoptable pets to staff, whether it’s through a Zoom meeting or photos included in a company email.
• Host a virtual lunch and learn with a pet-care expert, highlighting important pet-care topics such as pet first aid or helping pets deal with separation anxiety post-pandemic.

For businesses closed on Friday or those with cat lovers who want equal time, Take Your Pet To Work Week^® (TYPTWW) takes place the week leading up to TYDTWDay, June 20-24, 2022, and Take Your Cat To Work Day^® (TYCTWDay) takes place on Monday, June 20, 2022.

To learn more, visit www.takeyourdog.com or the Take Your Dog To Work Day Facebook page. Pet parents who need a professional pet sitter or dog walker to assist them during their event—or any day of the year—can search for a PSI member pet sitter at www.petsit.com/locate.

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