Pawsitive Impact: How One Little Dog Changed a Public Health Research Workplace
1
Collage of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
2
University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
3
School of Population Health, University oif New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
4
The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2528
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Work-related stress is a major contributor to anxiety, burnout, and reduced productivity in higher education and public health settings. Animal-assisted interventions, particularly workplace dogs, show promise for reducing stress and improving morale, yet evidence from a research office setting is limited. This study explores the influence of a well-being dog on stress, job satisfaction, interpersonal dynamics, and workplace morale.
METHODS:
Pawsitive Impact was conducted in a shared research office within an Australian university, where the well-being dog, Chilli, had a regular presence for 12 months preceding data collection. 21 staff participated in an online survey that included 15 five-point Likert scale items assessing interaction with the wellbeing dog and perceived effects on stress management, motivation, workplace atmosphere, professional boundaries, and task completion. Participants also provided retrospective ratings of workplace well-being before Chilli’s introduction. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and open-ended responses were examined using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Preliminary findings show the majority of staff enjoyed interacting with Chilli and perceived improvements in motivation, focus, and overall workplace wellbeing. Greater interaction frequency may correspond with stronger reported benefits. Qualitative themes indicated that Chilli encouraged attendance on campus, fostered a warmer and more positive environment, strengthened social connectedness, and supported mental well-being. Dog-assisted interactions have been shown to reliably improve mood and reduce perceived stress in healthcare and university environments. Pawsitive Impact similarly highlights the benefits for engagement and wellbeing while emphasising the need for clear protocols, supporting the structured, consistent approach used in this setting.
CONCLUSIONS:
The introduction of a well-being dog into an academic research office was associated with noticeable improvements in staff mood, day-to-day engagement, and overall sense of support within the workplace. These findings support the feasibility and potential value of pet-friendly wellbeing initiatives in higher education and public health research workplaces.
Work-related stress is a major contributor to anxiety, burnout, and reduced productivity in higher education and public health settings. Animal-assisted interventions, particularly workplace dogs, show promise for reducing stress and improving morale, yet evidence from a research office setting is limited. This study explores the influence of a well-being dog on stress, job satisfaction, interpersonal dynamics, and workplace morale.
METHODS:
Pawsitive Impact was conducted in a shared research office within an Australian university, where the well-being dog, Chilli, had a regular presence for 12 months preceding data collection. 21 staff participated in an online survey that included 15 five-point Likert scale items assessing interaction with the wellbeing dog and perceived effects on stress management, motivation, workplace atmosphere, professional boundaries, and task completion. Participants also provided retrospective ratings of workplace well-being before Chilli’s introduction. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and open-ended responses were examined using thematic analysis.
RESULTS:
Preliminary findings show the majority of staff enjoyed interacting with Chilli and perceived improvements in motivation, focus, and overall workplace wellbeing. Greater interaction frequency may correspond with stronger reported benefits. Qualitative themes indicated that Chilli encouraged attendance on campus, fostered a warmer and more positive environment, strengthened social connectedness, and supported mental well-being. Dog-assisted interactions have been shown to reliably improve mood and reduce perceived stress in healthcare and university environments. Pawsitive Impact similarly highlights the benefits for engagement and wellbeing while emphasising the need for clear protocols, supporting the structured, consistent approach used in this setting.
CONCLUSIONS:
The introduction of a well-being dog into an academic research office was associated with noticeable improvements in staff mood, day-to-day engagement, and overall sense of support within the workplace. These findings support the feasibility and potential value of pet-friendly wellbeing initiatives in higher education and public health research workplaces.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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