Josh Marino joined the US Army in 2001. After years of serving stateside, he was deployed to Iraq in 2007. A few months later, his unit was caught in a mortar attack in Baghdad which earned him a Purple Heart.
But the attack also left him with Traumatic Brain Injury. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological wounds that led to constant headaches, memory loss, and depression. After returning to Fort Riley, Kansas, in 2008, his condition deteriorated.
One night, while alone in his room, he decided to commit suicide. He left a note on his desk, stepped outside into a thunderstorm, and sat down to smoke what he believed would be his last cigarette.
At that moment, out of the darkness, a black and white kitten appeared and stood at his feet. As the cat rubbed against his leg, Josh broke down crying. He found hope in this chance encounter that gave him the will to live.
He named the cat Scout. He fed the cat every day, and they developed an emotional bond. Scout made Josh feel better and literally saved his life.
“This cat gave me something to look forward to. He saw nothing wrong with me. He didn’t see any flaws or imperfections. It felt safe,” said Josh in an interview. “He helped me realize that I could actually not just care for somebody else, but other people could care for me.”
He adopted Scout, got married, and earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling. Josh credits Scout for putting him “on a different path” and as a testament to how pets can give people the will to live and recover from adversity.
“I want others who find themselves in the same situation … to know that, even in the darkest of times, there is always a ray of light to guide you home. And sometimes that hope comes from the most unexpected sources.”
The Transformative Power of Pets
Josh’s story illustrates the deep connection between pets and caregivers. It also shows why medical professionals increasingly recommend pet ownership to support mental health and cope with the stress and complexities of modern life.
Caring for pets can keep people engaged in their own lives. Pets can ward off loneliness, lend purpose, provide unconditional love, and keep people more physically active and socially connected with others.
Research by the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) found that companion animals can reduce stress and anxiety, promote healthy lifestyles, and boost the cardiovascular system. They can also mitigate social isolation, a public health epidemic even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
An overwhelming 96% of employees surveyed by HABRI agreed with the statement, “My pet has a positive impact on my life.”
Pet Ownership And The Workplace
Pet ownership not only boosts their caregivers’ personal wellbeing. Studies show that employee pet ownership can benefit employers.
A recent study by Nationwide and HABRI found that offering a pet-friendly employee benefit, such as pet health insurance, can help employers:
- Boost employee engagement
- Improve productivity and retention
- Enhance attraction and recruitment
- Enhance employee health
- Deliver positive bottom-line results
HABRI found that 90% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces felt “highly connected” to their company’s mission and more engaged with their work. They were also more likely to recommend their employer to others, compared to 65% of employees in non-pet-friendly workplaces.
HABRI research finds that three times as many employees at pet-friendly workplaces said they had a positive working relationship with their bosses and co-workers, significantly more than at non-pet-friendly workplaces, and that these employees were more likely to stay with their company long-term.
Supporting Employee Pet Ownership
Employers can benefit from supporting employee pet ownership as part of a comprehensive whole-person wellbeing initiative. And studies show employees want employer pet benefits.
Start With A Strategy
Employers should approach employee pet ownership as part of a comprehensive wellbeing strategy.
Review resources, including HABRI, that provide information on the health benefits of encouraging pet ownership. This can help employers understand how pets can benefit all employees.
Partner with a local pet shelter for guidance in key areas, including employee learning seminars on the benefits of pet ownership, adoption and pet matchmaking services, and general information on how to care for pets.
While many employees will respond to pet ownership benefits, pay extra attention to how pets might help employees suffering from more serious mental health challenges, like stress, anxiety, and depression, or those who may be socially isolated.
Consult with a mental health professional who understands the role of pets in therapeutic situations. Certified animal behaviorists can provide guidance on how to help employees choose the right pet for their own situation.
Pets In The Workplace
Some employers allow employees to bring their dogs into the workplace, which studies show can lower employee stress levels, improve job satisfaction, and improve morale, retention, and work-life balance.
Pets are still animals. Before initiating a pet-friendly workplace policy, take steps to ensure a healthy environment for pets and employees.
Employers must ensure that pets properly acclimate to new environments, maintain good hygiene, and confirm that vaccinations are up to date. Employee health comes first. Be sensitive to employees with pet allergies.
For the many employers who cannot or will not allow pets in the workplace, consider other pet-related benefits that can boost employee wellbeing, productivity, and retention.
Support Adoption
Consider benefits that help employees with adoption expenses. For example, The Zebra, an Austin-based insurance comparison website, an employer covers up to $300 a year to help employees adopt a new cat or dog, and provides paid time off for employees to get acquainted with a new rescue pet.
Pet Insurance
Surveys show that employees enthusiastically welcome pet health insurance as a workplace benefit. This can ease the financial burdens of unexpected vet bills that can cause serious financial and emotional challenges, especially for lower-paid workers.
During times like these where financial stress is epidemic, consider employer-paid pet insurance, including paid deductibles, that gives employees peace of mind and a safety net in case of serious and costly pet health crises.
Pet-Related Discounts
Pet Benefit Solutions offers programs with significant discounts on veterinary and pet pharmacy costs. A few companies will even work with employees to provide discounts on pet supplies, including food, treats, and toys.
In these times of social isolation and financial stress, pets can provide a strong boost to mental/emotional wellbeing. Employers that encourage pet ownership through pet-assistance programs can cultivate a mentally healthier workforce and more loyal employees.
