No dog? No problem Local program offers offices pup for a day

Brandt and Paisley are raring to start their new jobs.

They’ve passed their assessment tests, aced their personality evaluations, received all the relevant vaccinations and are getting ready to greet their colleagues at their respective places of employment.

But instead of hellos and handshakes, they’ll most likely be giving their co-workers tail wags and face licks. Not that anyone in the office will mind.

The doggie duo are part of Business Buddies, a new program from the city’s Animal Services Agency which sees canines in the facility spending the afternoon with local businesses.

Dogs leave at midday and are required to be back by 5:30 p.m. — although company staff can also take the dogs home for an overnight stay. The agency will supply a sleepover package of food, toys and medication, if required.

It’s a novel way to get the pups out and about meeting new people — and a no-strings attached friendship for Winnipeggers who might be thinking about getting a dog, or who don’t have the space to have an animal in their homes.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone, and every dog, involved. The idea is an extension of the facility’s Doggie Dates program.

“We’re really excited. There’s not very many programs where you can just take a dog out, almost like a library book that you’re checking out, and return that dog,” Jennifer Medlicott, community relations co-ordinator at the Animal Services Agency says.

“It makes it easier for people to spend time with the dogs. It gets the dogs exposure and socialization, which they desperately need. It helps our team knowing a dog is out being loved up for the day. And hopefully the goal is that some of these dogs will find their matches when they’re out in the public.”

Interested businesses must first register online, before nominating up to four representatives who can pick up their Business Buddy from the shelter on Logan Avenue.

When they arrive the representative will meet a kennel attendant or clerk who will do a background check on them, and the business.

“What we like to do is pair personalities. Most people pair with eyes. They like the look of a dog, but maybe the dog might jump a bit or have high energy. We communicate everything to the person so they can make the best decision, but we are the ones making that final decision whether we think this is a good fit or not. Because we know the dogs, we are the ones who spend the most time with them,” Medlicott says.

Not every one of the 30 dogs currently housed in the building can be a Business Buddy — only good boys and girls need apply.

Successful buddies have already had plenty of exposure to the shelter’s volunteers and kennel attendants, so they are comfortable around people. Their vaccinations are up-to-date and they’ve either had spay or neuter surgery.

Medlicott says most of the dogs in the program are older adults who are very friendly and sociable, and looking for some extra TLC.

“These dogs were most likely once owned by someone when they come into our care, so they are Winnipeg’s dogs,” she says. “They deserve the best outcome. They’re stuck at a facility that isn’t great for long-term stays. So, we’re finding pathways to get them the best outcome which is exposure and, hopefully, adoption.

“At the end of the day, a dog just wants to be with people.”

And if you’re someone who woofs from home, fear not; the Doggie Dates program — which allows Winnipeggers to “check out” an adoptable dog for up to a week — is still running. However, while there is no fee to take part in Business Buddies, a deposit, equivalent to the adoption fee, is required for the first Doggie Date. The deposit is returned when the dog is returned or can be used to adopt the dog. Future Doggie Dates require no deposit.

av.kitching@freepress.mb.ca