It’s official – take your dog to work

Don’t leave your dog at home – take part in the seventh annual Take Your Dog to Work Day organised by the Blue Cross this week

This year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day organised by the Blue Cross takes places on 17 September.

Now in its seventh year, the 2002 event looks set to be as popular as ever. The Blue Cross began taking registrations for this year’s event at Crufts in February.

The charity has seen a huge increase on the total number of participants who entered last year’s event and for the first time the event has attracted global support.

Canines from around the world have pledged their support via their owners in countries, such as Russia and America, while HHO’s canine staff member Casper (pictured right) will also be taking part.

Celebrity support for the day includes Heartbeat’s Jason Durr, presenter Johnny Vaughan, as well as Amanda Holden star of BBC 1’s drama Cutting It.

“Take Your Dog to Work Day is a fantastic idea,” said Amanda. “Dogs are social creatures and it’s really hard for them to be left at home for hours at a time. Providing your dog is well behaved, I can’t why every day shouldn’t be Take Your Dog to Work Day.”

The day aims to give dogs a break from their usual routine and join their owners in the workplace.

The Blue Cross hopes to give employers and colleagues a chance to see the many mental and physical benefits of canine company in the workplace.

A survey carried out by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association on companies and businesses allowing pets into the workplace, 2,000 showed more than 70 per cent of companies surveyed said pets in the office created a more productive working environment, while 96 per cent said that pets produced positive work relations.

Registration for the day is free, owners are simply asked to work with colleagues and raise funds for The Blue Cross. Everyone who takes part will receive fundraising tips, posters, competitions and a goody bag courtesy of event sponsors, Pedigree.

For regular canine workers, there’s the chance to become the title-holder of Top Dog at Work 2002. Last year’s winner was a seven-year-old Old English Sheepdog called Arnie. He received the title in recognition for the role he plays in helping school children with communication problems.

To register for this year’s Take You Dog to Work Day contact the Blue Cross (tel: 01993 825 502) or click here to visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Click here tovisit the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s website.