Many of us have spent the past couple of years enjoying the benefits of remote work to the fullest. Greater flexibility, improved work-life balance, increased productivity, and lack of daily commutes are probably the first things that come to mind – but that’s only when we ask people other than pet owners.
The latter will say that the cherry on top of their work-from-home experience was the time they got to spend with their loyal companions. It’s no news that pets improve our mood, reduce stress, offer companionship, and help release all the happy hormones that keep us going. But without even digging deep into the mental and physical health benefits that our four-legged friends bring, we can all agree: there’s no such thing as spending too much time with our cats or dogs.
But what happens when you want to or need to return to the office? Do you have to trade your four-legged coworker for your colleagues or is there a way for you to enjoy the company of both? Simply put, can you bring your pet to work with you?
The answers vary greatly depending on the role your pet fulfills in your life as well as on the policies your office has in place. Perhaps your pooch is a certified service animal, in which case your employer will be required by law to accommodate them, whether or not the office is pet-inclusive. However, things are a bit less clear in the case of emotional support animals or ESAs, so let’s shed more light on this.
What is an Emotional Support Animal (ESA)?
Emotional support animals are the unsung heroes of our time. On top of the usual benefits that pets bring, ESAs alleviate symptoms related to mental or emotional disorders – think anything from anxiety and depression to PTSD and certain phobias.
How do they do that? The short answer is, effortlessly. Unlike service animals, they lack any specific training to aid their owners. Instead, they offer comfort through their mere presence and affection, just as you might expect.
It follows naturally, then, that an ESA can be any type of animal, the most popular ones including dogs, cats, and even miniature horses or pigs. In the context of the office, though, we’ll be considering dogs only, as they’re usually easier to train and can therefore better adapt to the work environment.
If you’re dealing with mental health issues and have benefited from the soothing presence of your dog while working from home, the thought of returning to the office may induce feelings of anxiety. Will you be able to cope with the symptoms without some relaxing head pats and belly rubs? Perhaps, but the best-case scenario would still be having your ESA at work by your side.
Can an employer deny an Emotional Support Animal?
You’ll have no problem having your emotional support animal at work with you if your company is pet-inclusive, and luckily, numerous organizations worldwide are starting to introduce policies of the sort. But even if yours is not among them, you’re not completely out of options. Consulting a licensed mental health professional is the first step to having your companion animal recognized as an emotional support animal. A therapist could provide you with all the documentation you need to prove that your dog is an ESA and that your condition and overall state are improved by their presence. This should automatically increase the chances of your employer modifying their no-pet policy.
However, it’s important to note that the case of emotional support animals in the workplace is not regulated by law, more precisely, by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States. This means that employers are not directly required to provide reasonable accommodation for them as they would be with service animals (guide dogs, hearing dogs, psychiatric service dogs, and so on), which are trained to keep their owners safe. Because of this, the decision will vary on a case-by-case basis.
This shouldn’t discourage you from trying. Once you have the documentation certifying that your ESA is essential for your mental health, your company could provide reasonable accommodation for them. The main condition here is that the ESA does not impose undue hardship on the employer. In other words, you must ensure that your dog won’t cause disruptions in the office.
Can I bring my ESA to a WeWork space?
Many WeWork spaces welcome the canine inclined with doors wide open – and if you haven’t had your dose of daily cuteness yet, check #dogsofwework on Instagram. And if you’re still trying to figure out if the building you’re frequenting is dog-friendly or not, you can submit a support request to find out.
Introducing an emotional support animal to a coworking space can be a rewarding experience for everyone involved. You get to keep any unpleasant symptoms at bay, while your dog continues to spend time with their favorite person. Even your coworkers will enjoy the occasional interactions with your furry companion, which will also make engaging in casual conversations so much easier.
Dog-friendly spaces have a couple of requirements to ensure everyone’s safety and a workflow without disruptions. First off, you’ll be asked to provide vaccination papers and to ensure your ESA is house-broken. Generally, you’ll be allowed to have your dog with you everywhere in the coworking space, but they’ll need to be on a leash while in the common areas. You’ll also find it helpful to set up a designated area where they have access to water, food, something comfortable to lie on, and some toys to keep them occupied. Besides this, it’s a good idea to tire them out before you get to work – this way, they’ll be calmer throughout the day with less excess energy.
These tips will prove useful whether you’re planning to bring your emotional support animal to the workplace or one of our coworking spaces.
