Dogs at Work – one of Amazon’s most popular employee perks, with more than 10,000 dogs registered to work at over 100 Amazon corporate offices worldwide – has arrived at the company’s Tech Hubs in Toronto and Vancouver.
Through Dogs at Work, four-legged furry friends become honourary ‘Amazonians,’ accompanying their owners to the office and enjoying an enviable list of amenities, including designated play spaces, events, discounted pet insurance, welcome packages, and of course, free treats.
Dogs at Work is great for humans, too: Several studies show that dogs can have a positive impact on people’s mental and physical health, reducing tension in stressful moments and motivating people to be more physically active. They’re also great for meeting new people: many employees say their favorite part about bringing their dogs to the office is seeing their colleagues light up when they spot their furry companions in hallways or snuggling under desks.
According to the Ontario SPCA, nearly three in 10 Canadians adopted a pet during the pandemic (with over 40% adopting through and adoption agency), and programs that allow dogs at the office make the post-pandemic transition easier for humans and pets alike.
Amazon launched Dogs at Work in Toronto on Thursday, May 18 with a ‘pooch party’ that allowed employees to snuggle with a furry crew from Corporate Canine Therapy, including a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a Chocolate Lab and a White Sheepdog as part of its Mental Health Awareness Month celebrations which was led by Christine De Siato, Canada/ LATAM Comms Leader and President of Amazon’s employee resource group Mental Health & Well-Being at Amazon. The group has mission is to promote employee well-being and to create a safe community where employees can come together to reduce the stigma of mental health, raise awareness, create a culture of acceptance, and support one another. It helps employees find resources and connect with teammates, and hosts events featuring Amazon employees along with expert speakers and mental health professionals.