317: How Pet-Friendly Workplaces Are Boosting Mental Health with Michelle Yates & Steve Feldman

What if boosting your team’s mental health and workplace happiness was as simple as adding a wagging tail to the mix? 🐾

Nikki is back with Michelle Yates from Pet Partners, this time joined by Steve Feldman, President of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), to uncover how pets are transforming workplace culture and mental health.

From the science behind wagging tails and purring companions, to real-world success stories like Amazon’s “PupAmazonians,” they share creative ways leaders can make their organizations more pet-inclusive, whether in-office or remote.

They bust myths (spoiler: pets aren’t the distraction you think they are), offer ideas for pet benefits that keep employees smiling, and show how a little four-legged love can spark collaboration, deepen connections, and create a happier, healthier workplace for everyone.

 

Additional Resources:

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn

Learn more about HABRI.org

Learn how to create pet-friendly workspaces with the Dogs at Work Guide!

Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn

Learn more about OnePack Plan by PetPartners

Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube!

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

 

Key Takeaways:

• Pets boost mental, physical, and social health.
• Pet perks work in-office or remotely.
• Leaders underestimate employee pet ownership.
• Pets improve morale, collaboration, and problem-solving.
• Pet benefits drive well-being, loyalty, and retention.
•  

Works Cited:

• KRC Research conducted an online survey on behalf of OnePack Plan by Pet Partners among n=1,000 employed US adults 18-65. The sample included n=750 pet owners and n=250 non-pet owners. The study was fielded between August 19 - August 22, 2024.
• Cohen Research Group in conjunction with OnePack Plan by PetPartners and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) conducted an online survey over a two-week period from February 22 to March 7, 2024, with 1,021 HR professionals working for medium or large companies in the United States and Canada. By design, half of the respondents work at companies currently offering pet health insurance to their employees and half did not offer it to them.

For terms and conditions visit: www.petpartners.com/sample-policies. Products are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, (NAIC #26581), and produced by PetPartners, Inc. (NPN #7612549; CA license #0F27261 PPI Pet Insurance Agency, Inc.).