More Dog-friendly Businesses
Interesting article in the San Diego Union-Tribune today about a group of businesses who are working together to change their area’s policies on dogs in parks.
Customer-hungry merchants in Escondido are hoping to attract more business by welcoming dogs, and in turn their owners, to downtown.
The Downtown Business Association of Escondido … is hoping to expand the dog hospitality that some businesses already have shown, such as Vinz Wine Bar’s doggie nights, to the rest of downtown and even to Grape Day Park, the only park downtown, but which bans dogs.
“We would just like to have downtown dog-friendly so people who have dogs can bring them downtown, take them to some of the stores, and not have to tie them up outside,” said Thora Guthrie, CEO of the downtown business association.
Maynard Dog Owners Group Recognizes Dog-Friendly Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MayDOG Media Contact:
Lisa Lines
978-331-0364 (978-3310-dog)
lisa
MAYNARD—The Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG) today announced the winners of their first annual Dog-Friendly Business Award. There was a three-way tie between Aubuchon Hardware, at 33 Main Street, Erikson’s Ice Cream, at 12 Great Road, and the Maynard Barber Shop, at 75 Main Street, all in Maynard. Six other nominees were also recognized, including LOOK Optical, Ray & Sons Cycle & Ski, and Middlesex Savings Bank in Maynard, and Sweet Bites Café, Sawyer Automotive, and Ace Hardware in Acton.
“We want to promote our local businesses, and we believe that one of the easiest things they can do to gain attention and goodwill is by being friendly to our furry family members,” said Lisa Lines, president of the group. She then described the reasons for each business being nominated. All of the nominees were recognized for their dog-friendly business practices, such as providing a water bowl, giving out dog treats, and allowing customers’ dogs inside. In the case of Erikson’s, their free doggie ice cream draws dog owners from around the area. Bob at the Maynard Barber Shop is known for giving out dog biscuits and having a water bowl for dogs. And Aubuchon Hardware sees up to 40 dog visitors a week, whose owners bring them in for belly rubs and cookies.
“Ask any dog owner: they love to take their dogs with them when they are out and about,” said Alex Landsman, the MayDOG member who announced the winners. “Here in Maynard, many people come downtown on foot with their dogs. On these hot summer days, dog owners really appreciate a business that allows dogs inside or puts a water bowl out in front and provides a place for the dog to be safely secured while the owner is inside.”
MayDOG members who spoke at the event offered several reasons for businesses to be friendly to Fido. “In this economy, anything a business can do to set itself apart from the competition is a good thing, and while dogs themselves don’t shop much, their owners do,” said Landsman. “Dog owners are very loyal to businesses that cater to their needs and the needs of their dogs.”
“If a business is known for being dog friendly, dog owners would rather go there than a competing business simply because they’re able to bring their dogs along,” added Lines.
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Founded in 2008, the Maynard Dog Owners Group (MayDOG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community organization. MayDOG’s mission is to promote responsible dog ownership and help build community through safe, legal off-leash recreation in Maynard, MA and the surrounding areas. MayDOG is working to create a fenced dog park in Maynard. Other activities include holding social events, sponsoring a walking group, organizing an annual “fun-raiser”, developing and distributing educational materials about responsible pet care, conducting workshops on training and dog behavior, promoting pet emergency preparedness and first aid programs, participating in town-wide clean-ups, promoting dog-friendly improvements to the town, and encouraging dog-friendly businesses. For more information, please visit www.maydog.org.
Photo credits: All photos taken by Mark Genest for MayDOG.
Pictured: Representatives from Aubuchon, Erikson’s Ice Cream, and the Maynard Barber Shop receiving their award certificates from Lisa Lines of MayDOG.
Dogs in the Workplace
Small businesses can’t always compete with larger businesses in terms of employee benefits, but one thing any business can do is institute a dog-friendly workplace and allow employees to bring their dogs to work.
In surveys, employees say that they would work longer hours, or even take a paycut, if they could bring their furry family members to work. And anecdotal evidence suggests that having dogs in the workplace can be a great stress reliever - for dog owners and their co-workers.
Here are two great videos on how to create great dog-friendly workplace policies:
Dogs in the Workplace: Tips to Make it Work
Does your company let employees bring their dogs to work? Nominate them for a Dog-Friendly Maynard Award!
Dog-Friendly Concord
The Dog Travel Channel has a whole series of videos on their website about dog-friendly destinations in the US. Here’s the video on nearby Concord, MA.
Also interesting: this article mentioning Massachusetts and the Trustees of Reservations as having an “enlightened policy [on] allowing dogs off leash”.
Know of a dog-friendly business in the Maynard area? Let us know!
Announcing the First Annual Dog-Friendly Business Award
MayDOG is now accepting nominations for the first annual Dog-Friendly Business Award! This award will go to the business in the Maynard area that is doing the most to be dog-friendly. Nominations will be accepted through July 31, 2009.
The winner will be announced on August 1, 2009 at noon at the Maynard Farmers’ Market.
What are dog-friendly business practices?
- Welcoming customers’ dogs onto the business’s premises
- Allowing employees to bring their dogs to work
- Placing a designated water bowl near the entrance to the business
- Providing a “doggie hitch” outside the business
- Offering unusual or special products/services specifically for dogs
- Supporting non-profit dog-related organizations in our community
Submit your nomination here or by email. Include a short description of why you think your nominee is the most dog friendly in the area.
Dog-friendly businesses in the Maynard area
Here are some of the business establishments in Maynard and surrounding towns that are notably dog friendly (well-behaved, leashed dogs are usually welcome):
- Aubuchon Hardware, 51 Main St - (978) 897-2500
- Ace Hardware, 117 Great Rd # 117, Stow - (978) 461-0122
- Pet Source, 117 Great Rd, Stow - (978) 897-9599
- Ray & Sons Cyclery, Main St, Maynard - (978) 897-8121
- Erikson’s Ice Cream, 12 Great Rd, Maynard (free doggie ice cream available on request!)
Do you know of other dog-friendly businesses? Please add them in the comments!
