Can pets improve our ability to think big?

• By Talitha Mulder
• December 7, 2024

Do pets hold the ability for us to improve our out-of-the box thinking and help us be more creative in our work?

Isaac Newton, Pablo Picasso, Mark Twain, Charles Darwin, Steve Jobs, Albert Einstein – they all shared in the comfort of the humble dog.

If big thinkers throughout history have shared a love of pets, could pet ownership hold the secret to increase our mental capacity too?

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How pets make us smarter

It is already widely and well known that pets at work with us significantly improve our mental health.

The Human-Animal Bond Research Institute and Dr. Deborah L. Wells, Psychologist, and Expert on Human-Animal Interactions found that employees with pets in the workplace report lower stress and greater happiness at work.

It would make sense then that in times that require long hours or a large amount of critical or creative thinking, our pets around would make us more likely to be in a good mental frame to push onward.

A study published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management (2018) found that pets can contribute to us taking breaks, both physical and mental – improving our sense of well being.

How can we can benefit from our pets at work

Pets at work can have the following benefits that improve our ability to think big:

• Lowered cortisol levels (the stress hormone)
• Provide a relaxed atmosphere
• Encourage breaks to prevent burnout
• Walks can promote fresh ideas and better problem solving
• The ability to think empathetically or from different perspectives
• Limited need for time off to feel connected as pets are already around

Conclusion

If having a dog around more improves our thinking and fosters big ideas, then the world could only be improved by allowing pets in the workplace.

What’s stopping you from bringing your pets to work?

I think the more we discuss this concept with those around us, the sooner the world realises the real value in sharing our world fully with our pets.