Verestro is a place where innovation meets employee well-being. On International Dog Day, we want to showcase our commitment to staying ahead of the curve by offering unique benefits to our employees. In our conversation with Monika Poniatowska, we'll discover how our pet-friendly policy has impacted her professional life and what it means for Verestro's organizational culture.
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Verestro: A Company of Dog Lovers
Justyna: Who is this gentleman?
Monika: This is Kropek (EN: Mr. Dot), my DOGfriend from the shelter. We've been together for over 2 years.
Do you often bring your dog to work?
Not really, I try to do it once a month, but I thoroughly check first to make sure there won’t be any other dogs in the office. I prefer to spare Kropek and other dogs the stress.
Is Verestro a company of dog lovers? (looking at the hoodie)
Haha, yes, I see you noticed the "Mother of Dogs" slogan. Here, we chat over coffee about how our dogs are doing and give each other advice. I love it when our employees bring their dogs to the office. I keep a pack of treats in my drawer, just in case someone else brings their four-legged friend.
Dog-Friendly Office: Benefits of Bringing Dogs to the Office
What does having a dog at work provide?
Calmness. My Kropek is exceptionally well-behaved, lying quietly when he sees that I’m busy. But you know what’s the best part? Kropek is… my smoke break. Thanks to him, I take a break every hour and a half and we run around the office. It’s really relaxing and helps me work better.
Does Kropek reduce stress?
Of course, during a tough client call, you can pet the dog’s head and your nerves instantly calm down. And during online meetings, a dog’s face popping into the frame has often made the whole audience laugh. Dogs ease the atmosphere!
Does everyone in the office like it? No anti-dog people?
Our Verestro office is very spacious and just a word is enough, and the dog and owner will move to a place where the dog won’t stress anyone out. Fortunately, no one has protested yet. 🙂
And what’s that book on your desk?
A gift I got from a colleague in the legal department - “Dog-Human Stories” by Marcin Wilk. It’s a wonderful read!
The Story of Monica's Dog
And what’s Kropek’s story?
We saw each other at the Paluch shelter and it was love at first sight. I didn’t plan on taking a 7-year-old dog with a rough past… but we looked at each other and it was IT.
What kind of rough past?
He was homeless, without a chip, in terrible condition… bitten. He was afraid of the vacuum cleaner, rakes, and the clinking of cutlery. I worked with him and a behaviorist, and I had previously taken courses for companion dogs, so I have some basic knowledge about dogs. I also have a child over one year old – I had to be sure that the dog posed no threat. Fortunately, Kropek became a great friend and protector of my daughter.
Is he happy here in the office?
On his cage at the shelter, there was a sign saying “Kropek – people-loving.” As I mentioned earlier, we have no shortage of dog lovers at Verestro, so Kropson was welcomed with open arms, petted, scratched… and his human is always within paw’s reach. He loves it!
International Dog Day
We’re celebrating International Dog Day today.
I highly recommend it; we need to appreciate dogs but also let them be dogs. I do not approve of anthropomorphizing animals. They are happiest in their own skin.
Is Kropek celebrating too?
He celebrates every day; any day is good to beg for a treat from me. 🙂
Thank you for the conversation.
Thanks a lot! (Kropek gives a paw) 🐾
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