Where CEOs share desks with furry colleagues and patients meet ‘Chief Cuddling Officers': Bengaluru's ‘paw-sitive' pet revolution redefines work, care, and human connection

Time of India

3 days ago

Bengaluru's corporate scene is embracing pets, with companies like WeWork and Bold & Beyond welcoming furry friends into the workplace. DriveU even adopts strays, fostering a pet-friendly culture that boosts employee morale and reduces stress.
In a world where presidents keep pet dogs and prime ministers have 'Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office', finding pawed friends at work cannot be a new trend. Not a city to fall behind on any wave, Bengaluru and its corporates too are increasingly easing rules around having furry stakeholders at work.
Consider WeWork, a popular co-working space. The company says that since its inception in 2017, its workspaces have championed pet-friendly designs. 'We've purposefully designed our centres to welcome both work partners and their pets,' says Raghuvinder Singh Pathania, head of community and building operations, WeWork India Management. Its Bengaluru workspaces have implemented pet and stray friendly policies.
INHOUSE MASCOTS
You Can Also Check:
Bengaluru AQI
|
Weather in Bengaluru
|
Bank Holidays in Bengaluru
|
Public Holidays in Bengaluru
Besides letting employees bring pets to work, many offices are now beginning to keep 'office pets'. Bold & Beyond is a Bengaluru-based integrated marketing and PR agency, which has Leo (a cocker spaniel) and Sushi (a shih tzu) as its resident pets. 'They are two dogs we adopted during the pandemic, in 2021, right around the time we started the venture. They've been our quiet cheerleaders through late nights, high-stress pitches, early-morning meetings, and every celebration in between.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Man Saves Pennies For 45 Years Despite Warning
Healthsupportmag.com
Undo
They're more than pets — they're our ambassadors, our emotional anchors, and part of the soul of our workspace,' says Sonalika Pawar, the founder.
The office also allows team members to bring in their pets — each with their quirks and charm, according to Sonalika. It's not unusual to hear the soft shuffle of paws during a brainstorm or spot a furry friend napping under someone's desk.
STRAYS STAY PUT
While a section of the city considers stray dogs a menace, there are some corporate offices that open doors for them.
Founders of mobility firm DriveU are passionate animal lovers, and they have adopted Lily — a mix of mudhol hound and Indie — after rescuing her as a pup from the streets of JP Nagar. 'Since DriveU began, we've had around 13 dogs — most rescued from the streets — who've become permanent fixtures at our Koramangala office.
A few got adopted while most continue to brighten our lives every day. I adopted two — Ashley and Brutus — and took them to the US, where they are enjoying an expat life.
They even appeared in CNN's 'Pet of the Day' segment a couple of years ago,' says Rahm Shastry, co-founder & CEO of DriveU.
W
eWork allows staff to bring their pets to work every day, besides supporting community and adoption initiatives that sometimes lead to fostered or adopted animals becoming part of their workplace. Strays rescued by our team have also found loving homes within our community, says Raghuvinder.
The Mavericks, a PR firm, credits its pet policy to Sherry, an Indie stray who wandered into their space one day, made herself at home, and quietly became the first team member with a tail. 'Thanks to her, we have been a pet-friendly workplace pretty much from the beginning,' says Chetan Mahajan, founder and CEO.
BEING 'HOOMAN'
Many say workspaces see a shift in energy when a pet enters the place. 'Sherry came in, and filled our workplace with energy, warmth, and everything that makes us more human.
Pets became part of our everyday life most naturally. No policies, no memos, just a shared sense that this felt right. And that is how it has been ever since,' says Chetan.
Akansha Sarma, a WeWork employee, says bringing her pet to work helped her cope with tough days in the office. 'It's helped me feel calmer and more present, even on the busiest days. For my dog Max, it's a win too; as an indoor dog, coming to work means more stimulation, new people, and constant affection.'
The furry pack can also bring a sense of belonging at the workplace. Sunandita Supkar, associate director of HR at DriveU, says: 'When I walked into my office the first day, I was greeted by the most heartwarming bunch of four-legged colleagues. Lily, in particular, was incredibly welcoming. She stayed by my side for the longest time, and in that moment, I truly felt like I belonged here.'
'On stressful days, just being around these dogs at the office instantly lifts the mood.
A simple belly rub or playtime can melt away stress and anxiety. Honestly, it's one of the best things about working at DriveU,' says Sunandita.
Not only on rough days, but on a light day, a pet can fill the boring hall. 'Their little antics spark laughter and ease... A sandwich stolen here, a meeting interrupted by a well-timed tail wag. These moments may seem small, but they build something bigger, a culture of ease, empathy, and togetherness.
The office no longer feels like just a workplace; it feels like a place where you're seen, supported, and allowed to pause when you need to,' says Sonalika.
Tanya Bojamma, senior account executive of Bold and Beyond, shares that instead of leaving her dogs at home, she can take them to the office. This has made her days at office much easier.
Vanshika Srivastava, a reputation analyst, finds solace with
Tara
, a labrador retriever.
'Some days in PR feel like a whirlwind — a hundred things to close, back-to-back meetings, constant calls. But then I catch a glimpse of Tara, and everything just slows down. Having pets around at work is such a blessing. Petting them during a meeting or between tasks makes such a difference,' says Vanshika.
'They have this quiet kind of magic that instantly makes everything feel a little lighter, like a star breaking through a cloudy sky,' she adds.
RULES ARE SET
While the majority may be pet-friendly, some employees might have concerns due to allergies or a fear of animals. WeWork has clear guidelines, such as keeping pets on a leash and under supervision, to minimise issues. 'We encourage open communication so employees with allergies or concerns can request pet-free zones or alternative workspaces as needed. For members, we ensure transparency by clearly stating our pet-friendly policy during the space booking process, allowing them to make informed choices that align with their preferences.
'
Some companies have implemented other interesting pet policies. For example, Accenture has a pet parents' employee resource group, creating a supportive community where employees can share experiences and address common challenges.
'We also host expert-led sessions covering essential topics like pet nutrition, travelling with pets, and coping with pet loss, in collaboration with veterinarians, pet nutritionists, and animal behaviourists.
The response from our growing community of pet parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with participants appreciating the practical insights and feeling more connected and supported,' says Panchhi Jyoti, a senior account executive.
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
Another space where pets are making a great impact is hospitals, bringing a smile on patients' face during hard times. Various scientific studies and randomised trials have already found that the presence of therapy dogs can help reduce pain, anxiety, and stress in patients recovering from illnesses.
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road is integrating this powerful therapeutic intervention through a carefully designed pilot programme. It provides Animal Assisted Therapy or Pet Assisted Therapy.
'Recognised widely by psychologists for their emotional, psychological and physiological benefits, the presence of pets represents a holistic approach that holds the potential to revolutionise the care environment in a hospital,' says Karthik Rajagopal, group chief operating officer of Manipal Hospitals.
'Now, we have introduced two canine members— Gopi and Simba—to our family. Their presence is already proving to be emotionally reassuring for patients by not only alleviating their pain but also offering a sense of relief and emotional clarity. This initiative has garnered substantial positive feedback from both our clinical and non-clinical staff,' he says.
With trial runs currently underway, the hospital is confident that the project will evolve into an invaluable addition to patient care and engagement.
Gopi and Simba, two labradors vetted and vaccinated, are ready to begin their journey as 'Chief Cuddling Officers'. They are stationed outside the main hospital area in a dedicated pawstation to limit any disturbance during crowded hours. They are managed by their handlers.
By employing two furry buddies, the hospital aims to bridge the emotional gap between clinical care and human comfort. Talking about the initiative, KM Aishwarya Nair, a patient, says, 'Dogs are the purest souls.
They give us unconditional love, much more than humans ever can. The love we give them comes back multiplied. When dogs are around, we feel stress-free, happier, and enjoy ourselves.'
Dr Sunil Karanth says Pet Assisted Therapy has been tried globally in pediatric oncology, and the National Health Service of UK has come up with guidelines. 'We are mainly focusing on the psychological well-being, along with the medical care of the patients through pet therapy,' he says.
In an Indian context, it is difficult to introduce pets in a hospital setup. So, Manipal is rolling it out in phases, as recommended by an expert panel.
For example, the hospital zeroed in on the breed — two labradors — after looking at how friendly they are. They were first introduced to non-clinical areas, allowing families who were waiting to interact with them. They were introduced to OPD and common areas only later.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.