Sara Forte, head of Forte Workplace Law in Surrey, B.C., initially not a dog person, embraced having dogs in her office after her legal assistant brought in a bulldog named Roscoe. Roscoe’s calming presence boosted morale and eased client interactions, leading to the addition of another dog, Waffles. Forte highlights the wellness benefits of pets at work, supported by research showing that interacting with dogs reduces stress and anxiety while promoting calmness. However, she acknowledges challenges such as allergies, fear of dogs, and building restrictions, emphasizing the need for transparency and case-by-case adjustments to make pet-friendly offices successful.

Beyond office dogs, the article explores other ways animals contribute to wellness, such as fish tanks or hybrid work allowing time with pets at home. Louis DelSignore, a lawyer in London, Ontario, found renewed balance and professional benefits through his passion for horses, which provide mental strength, fresh air, and a break from technology. Sociologist Colleen Dell notes that animals offer non-judgmental companionship that humans cannot, making them valuable for stress relief and overall well-being in demanding legal careers.