by JANA WILSON
Imagine having a co-worker in your office that greets every customer happily, has passersby stopping in just to say hi, and listens sympathetically to everything you have to say.
A pipe dream? Not when you bring your dog to work.
“It’s very calming to people,” says Andy Mallor of Mallor Grodner Attorneys. Mallor brings Keegan, a 6-year-old golden retriever, to the office nearly every day. “It makes coming to work so much more enjoyable,” he says.
Alex Nay, service coordinator at Experience Technology, brings his hound- retriever mix, Murphy, to his office several days a week. “It changes the environment,” he says. “I’m in the office all day, so it’s nice to have a companion.”
Experience Technology owners Stacy and Eric Steining also bring their two dogs into the office occasionally—Chia, a Chihuahua mix, and Mike, a terrier mix. Stacy says, “It’s hard to be grouchy when a dog is wagging its tail and is just happy to be there.”
One key to success is making sure the dog is well-trained, says Macey Dale, manager at Andrew Davis Clothiers. His best friend each day is Piper, a 2-year-old miniature goldendoodle.
At 27 pounds, Piper isn’t intimidating to most people who come into the store. But, Dale says, it’s vital to make sure your office dog has very good manners. One of the biggest mistakes people make when they bring a dog to the office is not ensuring their dog is calm and well-trained.
Glenn Harris, owner of Harris Services, his wife, and his daughter all bring their golden retrievers to the Harris Services office. Zoey, 9, Judd, 4, and 6-month old Archie join them daily. Harris also believes training is key and says they have had a dog trainer come to the office for training sessions with the three dogs.
Early socialization is also essential. Chrisy Gornall says she is glad she was able to get her young Labrador retriever, Avalanche, socialized with strangers before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Gornall and her husband, Dan, own Shredding and Storage Unlimited. “Avalanche has met thousands of people,” Gornall says.
Nowadays, fewer people come into their business office, and there are precautions when they do. But, Gornall says, Avalanche still comes out and puts her front paws up on the plastic barrier to say hello to everyone who enters. Then, the large white dog ambles back to Gornall’s office for a nap.
Andy Mallor, of Mallor Grodner Attorneys, with his pup, Keegan. Photo by Martin Boling 
Chrisy Gornall, co-owner of Shredding and Storage Unlimited, with Avalanche. Photo by Rodney Margison 
Glenn Harris, owner of Harris Services, with (clockwise from bottom) Zoey, Archie, and Judd. Photo by Rodney Margison
