Post by Brooke on Apr 16, 2004 0:51:02 GMT -5
Pets on Campus
by Karmen Dowling
Leora Swartzman and Ruby
Alison Conway and Tilly
Francis Chan, Jet, and Tim Liddiard
Paul Handford with Ernie and Sheba
Ruby slowly walks down the hallway on the sixth floor of the Social Science building, heading toward the elevator.
Once on the elevator, others are immediately aware of her presence but she is somewhat indifferent to their attention. Only when a small child enters and starts talking to her does Ruby look up to meet the child’s gaze.
A two-year-old black Labrador retriever, Ruby is not lost or a stray. In fact, she’s one of a number of household pets that hang out at Western with their owners. While the number of campus-visiting pets is unknown, the clear favourite seems to be dogs.
The result is a more attractive workplace, say owners.
“Pets make things seem less stuffy, more welcoming,” says Leora Swartzman, professor in the Faculty of Psychology and Ruby’s owner. “It makes for a more approachable and relaxed environment with a pet.”
* * *
Western’s faculty collective agreement allows for animals kept as pets to be brought into offices at the university. This has been the case since 1998. If persons in surrounding offices are concerned about a pet in the area, they should contact their department chair or faculty dean.
So far the administration knows of no difficulties, says Alex Mercer, Director of Faculty Relations.
Swartzman notes that not everyone is comfortable with dogs or other animals in their work environment. This is why she feels it’s important to use good judgment when deciding whether to bring a pet to work or not.
“Ruby doesn’t lick or sniff uninvited,” says Swartzman. “If a dog had that tendency, you would want to train it out of them before brining them to work. You wouldn’t want your dog to do anything you wouldn’t want your kids to do in public.”
Shobhna Gupta works with Swartzman and is often in contact with Ruby. Although she is not used to being around dogs, she says she has no objection to Ruby, “She is a very exceptional dog, very quiet, passive and obedient. There have been no problems. If it doesn’t interfere with anybody else, I think it’s OK.”
Swartzman feels it’s important to make sure the dog gets a lot of exercise and “bathroom” breaks.
* * *
Tilly and Jet are both two years old. The black Labs often socialize with Ruby during lunch hour romps.
Tilly’s owner, Alison Conway, a professor in the department of English says walking her dog is crucial to her own mental health.
“Academics spend hours and hours by themselves and it’s very lonely. Tilly is great company,” says Conway. “As well, I would never have met some people if it weren’t for her. I now know more about the university by having our ‘dog lunch hours’ than I would have otherwise.”
She adds that it has been proven that petting animals lowers stress. She says it’s been a great icebreaker for her students, in fact she believes she has more contact with students because of her dog, than she would have otherwise.
“It makes her seem more approachable and we can see she is a real person outside of work,” says Gwen McAuley, a student in Conway’s Restoration 18th Century Literature class. “I think it’s great they can have the flexibility to bring their pets to the institution.”
Jessica Olliver, also in Conway’s class, agrees, “Tilly is so sweet, friendly and well behaved. If anything, she encourages me to go to see Professor Conway in her office more often. However, if I did have a problem with Tilly, I wouldn’t have a problem saying something and I know Professor Conway would fully sympathize.”
Conway says she understands if a student or colleague isn’t comfortable meeting with her in the office with Tilly and is more than happy to make other arrangements to ensure their comfort.
Jet’s owner, Francis Chan says serious consideration must be taken when deciding to bring your pet to work, “The person must be a responsible pet owner, sensitive to the needs both of the dog and the neighbours.”
Chan, a professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and Assistant Dean, Equity & Gender Issues, and his partner Tim Liddiard, who works in the Registrar’s office, make sure Jet gets a lot of exercise before and after work, as well as during lunchtime. They say because he is so active, he mostly sleeps while in Chan’s office during the day.
Past President of the Faculty Association and Biology professor, Paul Handford, has brought his dog, Sheba, to work.
The large Leonberger dog hasn’t been to work with Handford for a while due to his work schedule.
He got another dog, Ernie, a Bouvier and Labrador retriever cross to keep Sheba company at home, but says he might try bringing them both in together someday.
“Allowing pets at work is a positive thing,” says Handford. “It acknowledges people have a family – like kids. For me, they enhance the environment.”
He admits he was surprised the administration agreed includes the condition in the faculty contract, but is very happy they did.
Chan adds, “This is the one true perk in the collective agreement as far at I am concerned. Colleagues from other universities that do not have this provision have expressed to me how envious they are that Western is pet friendly.”
* * *
Consideration for others is the key message stressed by each dog owner. They agree custodians shouldn’t have to clean their offices and most keep their own cleaning supplies on hand. They say every animal should be on a leash on campus and owners should always clean up after their pets.
Alan Weedon, Vice-Provost (Policy, Planning and Faculty), says most universities don’t allow for pets on campus, finding it easier to say “no” to the idea. Having an animal on campus raises issues about mess, inhibitions and potential dangers, he says.
Roma Harris, Vice-Provost (Academic Programs and Students), agrees with Weedon and says that’s why the animal has to be well behaved, quiet, gentle, not aggressive at all and clean. “Responsibility for all those qualities lies with the owner. If dog threatening or appears to be threatening it’s not a good idea to bring it into work, or if the dog is in distress.”
As someone who works in administration and as a faculty member, Harris personally feels the integration of animals into everyday life is a positive thing and in a way humanizes interactions with people on campus. As well, she notes some women have felt safer on campus while working evenings and weekends, when they have brought their dogs with them.
“I find seeing a dog visiting the campus, makes my day. It makes for a happier more inclusive environment. I occasionally bring my dog in.” Harris owns a four-year-old Corgi, named Gwynne.
She says, “It’s another sign of diversity at the university.”
by Karmen Dowling
Leora Swartzman and Ruby
Alison Conway and Tilly
Francis Chan, Jet, and Tim Liddiard
Paul Handford with Ernie and Sheba
Ruby slowly walks down the hallway on the sixth floor of the Social Science building, heading toward the elevator.
Once on the elevator, others are immediately aware of her presence but she is somewhat indifferent to their attention. Only when a small child enters and starts talking to her does Ruby look up to meet the child’s gaze.
A two-year-old black Labrador retriever, Ruby is not lost or a stray. In fact, she’s one of a number of household pets that hang out at Western with their owners. While the number of campus-visiting pets is unknown, the clear favourite seems to be dogs.
The result is a more attractive workplace, say owners.
“Pets make things seem less stuffy, more welcoming,” says Leora Swartzman, professor in the Faculty of Psychology and Ruby’s owner. “It makes for a more approachable and relaxed environment with a pet.”
* * *
Western’s faculty collective agreement allows for animals kept as pets to be brought into offices at the university. This has been the case since 1998. If persons in surrounding offices are concerned about a pet in the area, they should contact their department chair or faculty dean.
So far the administration knows of no difficulties, says Alex Mercer, Director of Faculty Relations.
Swartzman notes that not everyone is comfortable with dogs or other animals in their work environment. This is why she feels it’s important to use good judgment when deciding whether to bring a pet to work or not.
“Ruby doesn’t lick or sniff uninvited,” says Swartzman. “If a dog had that tendency, you would want to train it out of them before brining them to work. You wouldn’t want your dog to do anything you wouldn’t want your kids to do in public.”
Shobhna Gupta works with Swartzman and is often in contact with Ruby. Although she is not used to being around dogs, she says she has no objection to Ruby, “She is a very exceptional dog, very quiet, passive and obedient. There have been no problems. If it doesn’t interfere with anybody else, I think it’s OK.”
Swartzman feels it’s important to make sure the dog gets a lot of exercise and “bathroom” breaks.
* * *
Tilly and Jet are both two years old. The black Labs often socialize with Ruby during lunch hour romps.
Tilly’s owner, Alison Conway, a professor in the department of English says walking her dog is crucial to her own mental health.
“Academics spend hours and hours by themselves and it’s very lonely. Tilly is great company,” says Conway. “As well, I would never have met some people if it weren’t for her. I now know more about the university by having our ‘dog lunch hours’ than I would have otherwise.”
She adds that it has been proven that petting animals lowers stress. She says it’s been a great icebreaker for her students, in fact she believes she has more contact with students because of her dog, than she would have otherwise.
“It makes her seem more approachable and we can see she is a real person outside of work,” says Gwen McAuley, a student in Conway’s Restoration 18th Century Literature class. “I think it’s great they can have the flexibility to bring their pets to the institution.”
Jessica Olliver, also in Conway’s class, agrees, “Tilly is so sweet, friendly and well behaved. If anything, she encourages me to go to see Professor Conway in her office more often. However, if I did have a problem with Tilly, I wouldn’t have a problem saying something and I know Professor Conway would fully sympathize.”
Conway says she understands if a student or colleague isn’t comfortable meeting with her in the office with Tilly and is more than happy to make other arrangements to ensure their comfort.
Jet’s owner, Francis Chan says serious consideration must be taken when deciding to bring your pet to work, “The person must be a responsible pet owner, sensitive to the needs both of the dog and the neighbours.”
Chan, a professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry and Assistant Dean, Equity & Gender Issues, and his partner Tim Liddiard, who works in the Registrar’s office, make sure Jet gets a lot of exercise before and after work, as well as during lunchtime. They say because he is so active, he mostly sleeps while in Chan’s office during the day.
Past President of the Faculty Association and Biology professor, Paul Handford, has brought his dog, Sheba, to work.
The large Leonberger dog hasn’t been to work with Handford for a while due to his work schedule.
He got another dog, Ernie, a Bouvier and Labrador retriever cross to keep Sheba company at home, but says he might try bringing them both in together someday.
“Allowing pets at work is a positive thing,” says Handford. “It acknowledges people have a family – like kids. For me, they enhance the environment.”
He admits he was surprised the administration agreed includes the condition in the faculty contract, but is very happy they did.
Chan adds, “This is the one true perk in the collective agreement as far at I am concerned. Colleagues from other universities that do not have this provision have expressed to me how envious they are that Western is pet friendly.”
* * *
Consideration for others is the key message stressed by each dog owner. They agree custodians shouldn’t have to clean their offices and most keep their own cleaning supplies on hand. They say every animal should be on a leash on campus and owners should always clean up after their pets.
Alan Weedon, Vice-Provost (Policy, Planning and Faculty), says most universities don’t allow for pets on campus, finding it easier to say “no” to the idea. Having an animal on campus raises issues about mess, inhibitions and potential dangers, he says.
Roma Harris, Vice-Provost (Academic Programs and Students), agrees with Weedon and says that’s why the animal has to be well behaved, quiet, gentle, not aggressive at all and clean. “Responsibility for all those qualities lies with the owner. If dog threatening or appears to be threatening it’s not a good idea to bring it into work, or if the dog is in distress.”
As someone who works in administration and as a faculty member, Harris personally feels the integration of animals into everyday life is a positive thing and in a way humanizes interactions with people on campus. As well, she notes some women have felt safer on campus while working evenings and weekends, when they have brought their dogs with them.
“I find seeing a dog visiting the campus, makes my day. It makes for a happier more inclusive environment. I occasionally bring my dog in.” Harris owns a four-year-old Corgi, named Gwynne.
She says, “It’s another sign of diversity at the university.”