Having a canine colleague brings the added benefits of lifting team morale, ensuring a friendly welcome for clients, and means it’s not just the dog that gets out for a walk.
This is according to advisers Health & Protection spoke to to mark National Dog Day today.
‘Barketing’ manager
Engage Health’s Stuart Isaac, owner of Winston, explains that while his canine companion initially joined the company as a stop gap between dog walkers, he won the hearts of the directors, who quickly hired him.
“His main duties are greeting clients, ensuring everyone is comforted at least once per day where he scratches their chair in trade for head scratches,” Isaac says. 
“He’s also an expert at sorting the bins, and ensuring no food is left under any desk to go rotten.”
Regular rota of dog walkers
Isaac added that Winston (pictured left), who has amassed an impressive 575 followers on his LinkedIn page, has a regular rota of dog walkers.
“He ensures we all reach the minimum 10,000 steps per day, and leads by example by taking regular screen and toilet breaks,” Isaac continues.
“But today, he’s taking it easy, looking forward to the cooler weather and the longer walks autumn and winter bring.”
Trio of beagles
Emma Astley, owner of Cover My Bubble, reveals her office is frequented by her three beagles (pictured top).
“Luna, our black beagle, was the first ‘beagirl’ to join us in 2017,” Astley says.
“Then came Stella, our ginger rescue beagle, who joined us in 2018 when she was eight months old.
“Alba completed the gang in 2021 as a puppy. We all had the dreaded coronavirus at the time, so my friend had to collect her from Halifax for us. She certainly kept us happy and busy while we were stuck at home.
“I always joked that I wanted to collect all the different colours of beagles… and somehow I actually did.”
Differing personalities
But Astley explained that personality-wise, the trio could not be more different.
“Luna has always been our anxious, quiet girl, but make no mistake, she is absolutely the boss of the pack,” Astley continues.
“Stella is our lazy beagle who demands cuddles every single day. On walks, she’s usually the one toddling along at the back at her own leisurely pace.
“Then there’s Alba, the loud one. She will bark to tell us she needs a wee, wants her food, wants a walk, wants whatever we’re eating… or apparently just has something important to say.
“We absolutely love her character. She’s so much fun and will even speak up on behalf of her sisters if she thinks they need something.”
Boosting team morale and wellbeing
In terms of what they bring to the office, Astley points out that their main duties are boosting team morale, providing cuddles, greeting visitors and occasionally making an appearance in the advice firm’s social media content.
“They also take their role of supervising everyone’s lunch very seriously,” she continues.
“All office bins have to be kept on top of the desks when they’re in for obvious beagle-related reasons.”
The pack also brings the additional benefit of increasing exercise and wellbeing among the firm’s advisers.
“The team love having them in the office, additional cuddles are always welcome and they bring so much fun to the working day,” Astley says.
“Our team already heads out for a lunchtime walk together every day, so when the beagirls are in, they might get to join in too. It’s a great excuse for everyone to get away from their desks, get some fresh air and have a bit of a reset.”
