The 21st annual “Take Your Dog To Work Day” took place on Friday, June 21. This “holiday” was first celebrated in 1999 and was created by Pet Sitters International as a time to encourage employers and employees to experience the benefits of pets in the workplace, as well as promote pet adoptions from local shelters.
This year, Grapevine Animal Services partnered with the Records Department of the Police Department to bring several different pups from the shelter to hang out in the Records Office and the Front Office. Animal Services operates under the umbrella of the Police Department.
Hooch gets excited about a treat
The idea for this event in the Public Safety Building came from the ladies in the Records Department, as this was the first time they had invited dogs into the building, with the exception of K-9 Police Officers, of course.
“The folks in the Records Department found out about National Take Your Dog to Work Day and they basically asked for it to happen and came up with a plan. They even had t-shirts made. Basically, all I did was make the dogs show up,” said Animal Services Manager Kristina Valentine with a grin.
The lovely ladies in the Records Department pose with Hooch
“Their idea was that since we can’t bring our own personal pets to work, we could showcase some from the animal shelter. So, as part of the Police Department, Records and Animal Services are working together to have the dogs come to Records for the day. The idea is to get them out of the shelter environment. Sometimes you can’t get to know their personalities when they are kept in the shelter. Sure, you can play with them, but that’s such a short thing. This is more of an office environment – it’s quiet and there are people in and out, and so they really just enjoy the time to roam around and just be a dog,” Valentine added.
The ladies invited me into the Records room to meet Hooch, a very friendly “mutt.” Valentine said that she’s not sure of his breed – she guessed part Mastiff – but she is sure of his sweet demeanor and love for people and other dogs. He’s still a young pup – less than two years old.
Lola gives her new friend in Records a paw shake
In the front office, I got to meet Lola, a beautiful black and white mix, who is also less than two years old.
Both dogs were selected for their calm demeanors, but Valentine was ready to take them back to the shelter if they didn’t take to the office environment.
“You’d think they’d been here every day,” Valentine said. “They are having a good time and have not been violent or even growly to anyone all day.”
Hooch and Lola, as well as the other animals at Grapevine Animal Shelter, will be available for adoption on Saturday, June 22 from 9:00am until 12:00pm at the Shelter, which is located at 500 Shady Brook Drive. For more information, call 817-410-3370 or visit https://www.grapevinetexas.gov/1284/Adopt.
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