For the past five years, "Weenie," a six-year-old mixed breed, has accompanied her "mom" Julie Schindler to work at Replacements, Ltd. Julie is a member of our Internet Services team. Each day, Weenie and Julie come to work in Julie’s Saturn which bears a bumper sticker that reads, "Adopt an Angel with Fur." The bumper sticker is from the Guilford County Animal shelter where Julie and her husband found and adopted Weenie six years ago, while Weenie was still a pup. Weenie’s oldest canine friend is "Duchess." Duchess was also adopted from the Guilford County Animal shelter by one of Julie’s coworkers, Steve.

Weenie is active member of our Internet Services Team. First, she acts as a guard dog. Julie says that Weenie often notifies fellow employees when their wastebaskets are about to be "stolen" by the facilities staff. Also, Julie delivers birthday and greeting cards to fellow employees by attaching the card to Weenie’s collar and having Weenie deliver the cards to the recipient.

Julie recently spoke about her feelings regarding Replacements, Ltd. pet friendly policy, saying, "I feel that our pet friendly policy is the most effective, unique, no-cost employee retention and reward program that I have ever experienced at any firm. This program creatively demonstrates an understanding of the positive impact a congenial workplace atmosphere and employee camaraderie have on employee motivation, commitment, and workplace satisfaction for employees who are pet owners and those who are not." Julie further advised that her veterinarian has spoken with her about the benefits of having pets in the workplace. He stated that the act of owners bringing their dogs to work with them empowers pets with a sense of purpose and belonging. He further stated that he believed that employees who bring their pets to work with them is one of the best things a pet owner can do for their pet.

Both Weenie and Julie take full advantage of the Replacements, Ltd. pet friendly policy and encourage everyone to visit a local shelter and consider adopting a pet. Julie told me that many people do not know that their next best friend could be waiting for them at their local shelter! Weenie and Julie are great examples of the Replacements pet-friendly policy in action.

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