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For One
Special Day, the
Office Goes to
the Dogs
Pet Expert Gives Advice For Bringing Canine Co-Workers to Pet Sitters International's Take Your Dog To Work Day(R) Sponsored by PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogs are faithfully the first to welcome us home after a long, hard day at work. But, on June 22, the rules change and workplaces nationwide will open their doors and hearts to dogs as part of the Pet Sitters International's (PSI) Take Your Dog to Work Day(R) sponsored by the PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) brand. "PSI's Take Your Dog To Work Day(R) is a great way to allow man's best friend to energize the workplace for the day," said Rob Leibowitz, vice president -- marketing, Mars Petcare US, the makers of PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) Snack Food for Dogs. "As the brand that loves dogs, we want to make this special day fun for workers and dogs across the nation. For the other 51 weeks of the year, PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) helps keep dogs happily occupied when you can't be with them." The goal of the brand's efforts is to reinforce what research has shown; having pets in the workplace reduces stress, improves morale, increases productivity and enhances feelings of well-being. In celebration of this year's event, PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) is providing unique advice, activities and experiences for dog lovers interested in taking their canines to work. NATIONAL PET EXPERT TOUTS DOGS AS CO-WORKERS "While at the office, a busy dog is a good dog," advises author and renowned animal behaviorist Andrea Arden. "If he is busy chewing toys and snacks, he isn't running around the workplace, getting into trouble or barking from boredom." Arden offers her five best tips for workplace dogs: 1. Exercise Early - Burn your dog's excess energy before work with a round of fetch or a morning walk. This can help prevent excessive barking, pacing and begging from pent-up energy. 2. Keep your dog busy - You're bound to have conference calls and meetings that require your dog to stay put and to stay calm. The best advice? Give your dog chewing toys and snacks, such as a long-lasting PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) treat, to keep him happily occupied. 3. Introductions are important - There may be other dogs in the office on Take Your Dog To Work Day(R), so try to introduce your dog to the others as soon as you arrive to work. Having all participating dogs meet early in the day will allow them to socialize and get comfortable with each other, and will help prevent possible outbursts. 4. Keep 'em clean - If you ignored personal hygiene for two weeks you wouldn't be too popular at work, and the same rule applies for your dog. Clip your dog's nails, give him a bath and brush his teeth before you take him to work -- you will have the most popular pet in the office. 5. Make space - You don't want to call work "home", but your office environment should feel comfortable and safe to your dog. Be sure your office or cubicle has been dog-proofed with no tempting, loose power cords or papers on the floor. Be sure you have a watering bowl and even a pet bed for extra comfort. And, a gate or some type of temporary barrier at the door keeps your dog from wandering. WIN FREE PET-SITTING VALUED AT $25,000 If taking your dog to work weren't reward enough, PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) is offering a sweepstakes for one lucky dog owner to win $25,000 worth of professional pet-sitting services with PSI, as well as a dog's lifetime supply of PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R). Other sweepstake prizes include a one-year supply of PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R) and a one-month supply of PEDIGREE(R) JUMBONE(R). All Take Your Dog To Work Day(R) participants who register at jumboneforlife.com are automatically entered into the sweepstakes. NEW YORK CITY HOSTS FIRST-EVER, PET-FRIENDLY COMMUTER BUS Even on PSI's Take Your Dog To Work Day(R), not every door is open to dogs, especially most forms of transportation, which aren't dog-friendly. In fact, according to the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority, only small domestic pets are permitted on New York buses and subways, and only when they are carried in kennels. To help, on June 22, PEDIGREE(R) will dispatch the JUMBONE(R) Express commuter so employees and their furry friends can enjoy safe and convenient transportation on PSI's Take Your Dog To Work Day(R). The bus will shuttle owners and their dogs to and from two stops in Midtown Manhattan during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Space is limited and interested dog owners must reserve a seat by calling 212-465-3409 or e-mailing TYDTWD@webershandwick.com. For more information about PSI's Take Your Dog To Work Day(R) and to find expert tips about pet-safe offices and dog-friendly workplaces, please visit http://www.jumboneforlife.com/. About PEDIGREE(R) PEDIGREE(R) is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, PEDIGREE is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources. About Mars U.S. Mars US is the United States food, snack and pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. With more than $7 billion in annual sales in the U.S., the combined food, snack and pet care segments are a symbol of excellence for quality brands. Headquartered in Hackettstown, New Jersey, Mars US employs more than 9,000 associates in the United States, with 52 facilities nationwide. The company owns some of the world's favorite brands, including M&M'S(R) Brand, SNICKERS(R) Brand, UNCLE BEN'S(R) Brand, PEDIGREE(R) Brand Food for Dogs, and WHISKAS(R) Brand Food for Cats. About Pet Sitters International Established in 1994, Pet Sitters International is the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, representing more than 7,600 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad. PSI's membership consists of trusted pet professionals serving an average of 126 clients and performing an estimated 8 million pet-sitting engagements per year. It is the only organization offering an in-depth accreditation program tailored exclusively for pet sitters. PSI's pet-sitter locator at petsit.com is one of the most frequently used and highly trusted resources available to pet owners. Source: PEDIGREE JUMBONE Web site: http://www.jumboneforlife.com/ http://www.petsit.com/ |
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