Are practice pets a good idea? A recent WO Pop-up Poll asked about pet policies in the office. Some ODs have pets that have become an iconic part of the practice, while others discourage any pets in the office whatsoever.
Eighteen percent of respondents said that their own cat or dog acts as the office mascot. Almost 15 percent (14.3%) said that people other than the practice owner bring their pet(s) in occasionally, often for office and patient morale or to keep pets from staying home alone all day. Almost a quarter of respondents (24%) said that patients are allowed to bring small pets in. However, half of respondents (50.8%) said that no pets other than service animals are permitted in the office.
We also asked if fish were pets; 68 percent of respondents said yes!
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES
Hear what some respondents had to say.
Pets are welcome in the office and/or outside in front of office so they don’t have to stay in a locked and possibly hot car.
When my old yellow lab needed more frequent per breaks, I brought him to my office and baby gates him in the back. Still lots of patients got to know him and he was a welcome kid entertainment. Many patients remember being able to have their eye exam or pick out their glasses without having to bother with their child because old yellow lab was babysitting them. He passed in 2012 at 15 years old and patients still ask for him! He would be the oldest lab in history by now!
We allow well-behaved dogs.
In consideration of staff and patients with severe allergies, we prefer no pets outside of service animals.
Pets are discouraged, as people have had issues not being able to control behavior or it has messed in the office!
