Dog-Friendly Offices Boost Productivity and Retention with Emily Birch

Dog-friendly offices aren't just a perk—they're a productivity strategy. If you've ever declined a job because you couldn't bear to leave your dog at home, or felt your stress spike during a late meeting knowing your pup had been alone all day, this conversation is for you. Emily Birch walks us through how companies can thoughtfully introduce dogs into the workplace in a way that benefits everyone—dogs, employees, and the business itself.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

• How dog-friendly offices actually increase productivity and employee retention, backed by peer-reviewed research

• Why predictability matters more than enthusiasm when it comes to managing dogs (and people) in shared workspaces

• The traffic light system that helps dogs settle and prevents over-excitement without feeling restrictive

• What makes a dog suitable for office life—and the one non-negotiable that rules a dog out entirely

• How to address common concerns like allergies, phobias, and the myth that offices will turn into chaotic doggy daycares

• Why some dogs need a "red light" approach even when they're friendly, and how that sets them up to succeed

• What happens when new management takes over, and how to make the case for keeping dogs in the office

A FAVOURITE MOMENT

"I counted and I was like, 'We've got 18 dogs in here,' and yet you wouldn't know. Every dog was just fast asleep under the table." — Emily

ABOUT EMILY BIRCH

Emily Birch is the Owner and Director of The Office Dog, where she helps organisations introduce dogs into the workplace in a structured, safe, and genuinely beneficial way. She also runs a canine consultancy focused on behaviour work. Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Emily has been pioneering dog-friendly office environments since 2014, working with businesses at every stage—from policy creation and training through to implementation and probation sign-off.

CONNECT WITH EMILY BIRCH

Website: theofficedog.org

CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS

To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com

And if you're a dog lover who wants a calmer, happier dog, come find us at planetcalm.co. The Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them, and the businesses they build.