PAGE 16 — Addison Independent, Monday, April 20, 2015
Addison Independent, Monday, April 20, 2015 — PAGE 17
Animal Families a special section of the Addison Independent
Pets bring joy to local workplaces and increase productivity By CHRISTY LYNN MIDDLEBURY — Animal lovers will often describe time spent around their beloved pets as therapeutic, calming, uplifting and stress-relieving. For folks that leave their pets at home during the workday, there’s often a sense of hurry when leaving the office so as to give a friendly hello to that familiar face that’s waiting to greet one at the door. Increasingly, however, workplaces are opening their doors and their policies to pets at work and are seeing some positive results. According to national research conducted by the American Pet Products Association, pets in the workplace help reduce stress, increase cooperation and encourage employees to work longer, more productive hours. It is estimated that approximately 20 percent of businesses in the United States allow pets in the office, including some of the largest companies such as Google, Amazon, Proctor & Gamble Pet Care, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Clif Bar and Ben & Jerry’s. Many would not be surprised to hear that Vermont ranks highest when measuring the percentage of households that own dogs, at almost 71 percent. It’s hard to miss the dogs when wandering the streets, hiking the trails, visiting households, or even at shops and offices. The same holds true in Addison County, where many offices have canine or feline visitors that greet you when you walk in the door. Here at the Addison Independent office in the Marble Works, 23 of our 27 employees have at least one pet at home. Five dogs regularly come to the office with us, though we’ve seen upwards of 12 to 15 different dogs come through the office for a visit with their owners on staff. The dogs encourage our deadline-driven office to take breaks, laugh together, share stories and give us the perspective it is so easy to lose sight of when in a stressful environment.
shelter in Vancouver, British Columbia, where her owner Christy Lynn (associate publisher and sales manager, aka me) lived prior to moving back to Vermont. Trudy is a bit shy, but loves to lounge in the sunny spots on the floor of the office or under the desks of her favorite office mate, Anna Harrington.
Middlebury last spring and he quickly became a beloved member of their household as well as the office community.
Think of Agway when you think of your pets!
Are your animal companions a central part of your life?
We help you provide quality care for all your pets! ASK ABOUT OUR
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Custom Engraved while you wait. Choose from a variety of styles. Beautiful brass Equine & Stable Plates, too.
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Walter
Elvis and Spike
Elvis and Spike are shih tzus belonging to Laurie Wedge, who has been the bookkeeper at the Addison Independent for over 20 years. Elvis is eight and has been comfortably perched on Laurie’s or Vicki Nolette’s desks since he was a tiny puppy. Perhaps regretfully for him, Elvis was joined last year by Spike, the newest puppy in the office. Spike’s floppy and giddy personality can crack a smile on anyone’s face.
Walter joins the dogs at the Addison Independent once or twice a week, accompanying circulation manager Lisa Razo at her desk. Walter is a dorgi — a dachshund/corgi mix who waddles around the office with a friendly nose in the air and tail that looks like a flag waving him along.
Lots of fun items to keep your pets playful and rewarded!
Cody Addison County Chamber of Commerce — Golden retriever Cody joins chamber President Sue Hoxie about two or three days per week at the visitor’s center in Middlebury, welcoming folks as they come and go. “Golden retrievers (See Workplace pets, Page 21)
Our
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Dog Wash is OPEN EVERYDAY!
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Everything you need for pet support & safety.
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Compare our prices & switch to one of the fine feeds we carry.
Thor Thor is a poodle terrier mix who’s name and initial bark (if you’re a man with a hat or have a swagger or sideways stare) portray him as a few calibers tougher than he is on the inside. Jessie Raymond (columnist and typesetter) and her family adopted Thor from Homeward Bound in
EVERY OFFICE NEEDS A PET! “Office pets are a warm and welcoming part of every office.” – Dr. Mark “Loving dogs and cats since 1940!”
20 Main Street • vergennesanimalhospital.com • 877-3371
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Accessories
Enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in our beautiful spa-like space.
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Addison Independent — Trudy is a four-yearold border collie mix who was rescued from a
We love to have your pet visit. Come in & let them help you choose a new collar, toy or other accessory.
Pet I.D. Tags
Dogs in the community Below is a brief survey of our office pets as well as some of the other office pets you may see in and around the Middlebury area. We encourage you to go out and visit them on your trips around town, share stories and make connections with these dogs and their owners, and feel free to let us know about what you find. We have this little theory that you may come away a little bit happier than when you started.
Trudy
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& Grooming Supplies
Small Animal Products
• Cages, Foods, Treats & Pine and Cedar bedding for your hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets. • Bird food, toys and cages • Basics for fish, too!
Brushes, shampoos, skin treatment ointments to keep your pets’ coats healthy and problem free!
MIDDLEBURY AGWAY 338 Exchange Street, Middlebury
388-4937 • www.MiddleburyAgway.com
Open 7 days M- F 8-6, Sat 8-5 • Sun 9-4
YOUR YARD, GARDEN AND PET STORE