Dogs without borders - Our colleagues with the wet snout

Everyone knows our motto: “Bildung ohne Grenzen” (Education without borders). However, did you know that in some of our offices you can also hear the motto “Hunde ohne Grenzen” (Dogs without borders)? In today's article, we are talking about our four-legged colleagues and how they positively influence our everyday office life.

Unthinkable for some, everyday life for others: a dog in the office. During the Corona pandemic, the number of pets, especially dogs, has significantly increased. In the case of long-term home office, no problem. However, what happens when it is time to go back to the office and the darling pet has to be at home alone for several hours? The solution; puppy comes with you to the office. This has advantages for the animals and for everyone who are involved. Dogs improve the working atmosphere!

Anyone who has ever experienced a dog in the office is probably familiar with the phenomenon; even colleagues who usually seem rather reticent are suddenly transformed. People start talking to each other about the dog and find a conversation topic. Also, dogs lower the stress level. Petting a dog releases hormones that reduce stress. Overall, employees in companies with office dogs are therefore significantly less at risk of burnout. Dogs do not only reduce stress reactions of the body, they also can generally strengthen the psyche. They are simply there, looking at you with their googly eyes and are listening. In this way, they automatically promote togetherness and community and thus contribute to an increased motivation of the employees. During breaks, they can (or have to) go out into the fresh air with their owners; a significant advantage for concentration and variety in everyday office life.

Germany is generally a very dog-friendly country. If you walk through a German city, you probably will see many dog owners with their dogs walking in the park, in the restaurant, or even in the subway; dogs are an inevitable part of the cityscape.

Once a dog is part of the household, it becomes a real member of the family and everyone takes care of it. Daily walks (several times a day), veterinary care and the choosing right food - all these things belong to a German dog owner.
For many dog owners it is unimaginable that their four-legged friend spends the whole working day alone at home. Many dogs go to so-called "HuTas" ("dog daycare centers" - similar to a kindergarten for children) so that they have company while their owner have to work. Or, they go to the office with them.

It is wonderful that Carl Duisberg Centren also allows its employees to bring their four-legged friends into the office. After all, there are quite a few of them, many even from different countries. Hence, in line with the motto: "Dogs without borders". This also offers the participants in the language courses a successful change of pace. In Berlin, "Benny" is always a welcome guest. Have you already encountered an office dog in our school?

In this sense: good luck with learning (with dogs) without borders.