Office puppy at Startup Zone helps people de-stress

Entrepreneurs working at the Startup Zone in Charlottetown have a new team member on site to help them de-stress: Benjamin Franklin, an 11-week-old puppy.

He spends most of his days in the office, ready to play or have his belly rubbed when workers need a break.

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"It really gives them a few minutes to take a break. To come over, to either take him out for a walk or just to have a few moments to decompress," said Christina MacLeod, the executive director of Startup Zone and Benjamin Franklin's owner.

She's been bringing him to the office almost every day since she got him about two weeks ago.

Health and wellness

MacLeod had previously worked in an office in Halifax that had dogs. She loved the idea, and thought a dog it would be a good addition to the Startup Zone, which is an open-concept workspace where various entrepreneurs work.

When you just need a break from what you're doing, going over and petting the dog is a great distraction.- Chris VanHorn

MacLeod said having a puppy in the office is just one of many ways the Startup Zone is trying to focus on the health and wellness of its entrepreneurs.

"They're in here for an intensive period of time. They have a lot of pressures of getting funding, meeting deadlines, and getting their products ready for market," said MacLeod.

She said she's focused on having "supports, such as entrepreneur socials, coffees and teas with local entrepreneurs, as well as having a puppy to kind of assist them."

Breaks up the day

The puppy spends most of the day hanging out by the front window of the office. People will often stop by and play with him for a few minutes, or take him for a walk.

Chris VanHorn, founder of Airbly Inc., who works at Startup Zone, said he usually goes over to see Benjamin Franklin at least three to four times a day.

"If I focus on one thing for too long, I do get a little stressed and whatnot. So if I can think about something different for a little while, it's helpful," said VanHorn. "When you just need a break from what you're doing, going over and petting the dog is a great distraction."

Attracting millennials

VanHorn and MacLeod think having animals in the office is something more workplaces should consider.

"One of the questions we have a lot is, 'How do we embrace millennials into the workforce?'" said MacLeod.

Focusing on positive work environments can be a good way to do that, she said.

"And so having, you know, healthy lunch breaks, having coffees, having different socials, flex time, open work space, as well as having animals in the office space is a great way to attract millennials to come into your business or corporation."

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