Left: Jessica Azzarano organized a TYDTW day event so her Golden Retriever, Ponix could spend a day at the office. Below: For Shaun Hermann’s Black Lab Ransome every day is take your dog to work day.
tions, such as having employees bring photos of their pets or, better yet, ask your company to host a fundraiser for a local animal shelter,” Beth suggests. “Participating companies have found so many fun ways to participate in TYDTW Day. Of course, simply having your dog at work makes for a fun day—but we’ve had businesses host unique events, such as doggie fashion shows, hot dog luncheons to benefit a local shelter, and even an “owner/pet look-a-like” contest with $1 per vote going to a local animal organization.” Shaun Hermann, an employee at Neathawk Dubuque & Packett, a Virginia-based advertising agency, says her office started celebrating TYDTW Day in 2008, and admits “our whole office is dog-friendly, and we have several dog-regulars.” Shaun brings Ransome, her 6-year old Black Lab to work every day. “Ransome thinks everyone who comes to the agency comes to see him!” she says. Ransome sits at her feet under her glass-topped desk and keeps an eye on her. For the event last year, the company had kerchiefs made that read “ND&P Support Staff.” Jessica M. Azzarano, senior community
22 Northern Virginia Dog
| Spring 2011
manager for the Sequoia Property Management firm in Chantilly, VA, convinced her company to give this a try in 2010. They were careful to follow the TYDTW Day guidelines and were respectful of employees with allergies, and the day went wonderfully. Jessica’s Golden Retriever Ponix, (adopted from a breeder in Massaponix and hence the name) “had a blast—he and the other dogs that came in had the run of some empty offices and the outside common area and there were no fights, no accidents, no complaints—just a few hairy dust balls left for the dog owners to sweep away the next day,” says Jessica. Will they do it again this year? “I hope so,” she says. “I’m working on it!” How about your office? If you think it might work, visit www.Takeyourdog.com, and start planning. ND Elissa Myers is a writer in Northern Virginia with a passion for dogs. She lives in Springfield with her tireless Black Lab Indi and writes a daily column, Fairfax Dog Friendly Places, for the online Examiner.