Remembering Pongo
When Tom Gilardi, then Mercy Home’s vice president of youth programs, observed a young person’s mood improve after playing with...
September 9, 2024
January 16, 2020
Numerous reports and studies show that dogs increase feelings of comfort and reduce feelings of loneliness and stress. A 2012 study found that coworkers who brought their dogs to work had decreased stress levels compared those who did not bring their pets to work. In fact, those who did not bring their pets to work showed increased stress levels throughout the day.
Interacting with dogs has been shown to facilitate social interactions, encourage mindfulness, and stimulate overall positive emotions. A dog-friendly workplace tends to boost employee satisfaction, improve morale, and fosters a communicative environment with a strong sense of teamwork.
At Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, our goal is create a homey, welcoming vibe for children and families who seek our care. That’s why Pongo, our facility dog, plays such an important role at our Home, because nothing gives off a more homey, welcoming vibe than an eager pup full of unconditional love.
From a public standpoint, visitors to Mercy Home have positive responses when they interact with Pongo. Such heartwarming memories tend to stick with people, as they share our mission with others.
At Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, our goal is to create a homey, welcoming vibe for children and families who seek our care. That’s why Pongo, our facility dog, plays such an important role at our Home, because nothing gives off a more homey, welcoming vibe than an eager pup full of unconditional love.
From a public standpoint, visitors to Mercy Home have positive responses when they interact with Pongo. Such heartwarming memories tend to stick with people, as they share our mission with others.
Probably the most lucrative reason to embrace a pet-friendly workplace is that pet owners can help lower the cost of healthcare. A 2015 study released by the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) and conducted by researchers at George Mason University found that U.S. pet owners saved $11.7 billion in healthcare costs.
“Thinking about things that people should do to maintain their health, ‘get a pet’ belongs on that list,” said HABRI Executive Director, Steven Feldman. “When health insurance companies are looking at wellness incentives to keep costs down, pet ownership provides another way for people to stay healthy and save money.”
When Tom Gilardi, then Mercy Home’s vice president of youth programs, observed a young person’s mood improve after playing with...
September 9, 2024
As we all marked almost two years of the pandemic, so too did the kids of Mercy Home for Boys...
January 13, 2022
Mercy Home's facility dog Pongo is more than a pet who, along with all dogs great and small, will be...
September 13, 2021
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