The first official coworking space was established in San Francisco in 2005, and since then, shared workspaces have surged in popularity. Known for being flexible, community-driven, and creativity-inspiring, coworking spaces have naturally embraced dog-friendly policies as part of their inclusive culture.
Many, including Creative Works, have opened their doors to dogs—revamping traditional offices into more relaxed and welcoming environments.
But dogs provide more than just joy. Studies show that having them in the workplace can reduce stress, boost social interaction (it is hard to ignore someone whose dog just curled up under your desk or photo-bombed your Zoom call), and even improve teamwork.
The Rules of the Pack
At Creative Works, dogs are welcome, but we have a few ground rules in place to keep things safe, respectful, and balanced. While we are a nation of dog lovers, we know there are always exceptions. This is why we introduced our Pet-Friendly Policy—to protect the welfare of all our members, staff, and visitors.
Before bringing their pup to work, pet owners must check in with our management team. We need to confirm that every four-legged guest is house-trained, vaccinated, insured, and unlikely to chew through the internet cables (we ban pet rabbits for this reason).
Aggressive behaviour or persistent barking is a no-go. If a pet disrupts the space, causes allergies, or refuses to follow the rules, we reserve the right to withdraw permission for the dog to remain onsite. We are all for wagging tails and friendly vibes—but not at the expense of anyone’s comfort or health.
To help keep the peace, dogs are not allowed in certain areas, including the kitchen, meeting rooms, training rooms, toilets, and the server room (a paradise of chewable cords). And while spontaneous puppy meet-and-greets are always welcome, all pets must be on a lead in communal spaces and under their owner’s supervision at all times.
Why Dogs Can Make Great Coworkers
Research from the University of Lincoln found that employees who regularly bring their dogs to work report 22% higher satisfaction with their working conditions. Dogs break down social barriers and create natural conversation starters—whether it’s bonding over a shared love of Labradors or simply smiling at a friendly pup making the rounds.
They also bring warmth and personality into the workspace, making it feel less sterile and more like a community.
Beyond boosting morale, dogs encourage healthy habits. They remind us to take breaks, go outside, or take a stroll around the neighbourhood. Studies even suggest that walking can enhance creativity—something every coworking space could use more of.
At Creative Works, we’ve seen all of this in action. Dogs don’t just bring joy; they help build community. When a tail is wagging nearby, members feel more at home, more connected, and (let’s be honest) happier.
‘Raiden’ is a familiar face at Creative Works
Tails of Responsibility
Having dogs in the workplace isn’t all tail wags and Instagram moments—being a pet owner comes with real responsibility.
Owners must clean up after their dogs, keep noise levels in check, and ensure their pups do not roam around unattended or bother other members. While we adore a cuddly coworker, nobody wants their lunch swiped when they are not looking.
If issues do arise, we will always start with a friendly chat and work together on a solution. Most problems are minor and easy to fix—accidents happen, and not every dog gets it right on day one. Repeated or serious incidents, however, may result in permission being revoked, and any damages or cleaning costs will be the owner’s responsibility.
Oh—and one more thing: please do not feed someone else’s dog, no matter how convincing those puppy-dog eyes may be.
Paws for Thought
At Creative Works, it’s all about people—and that means embracing the whole person. Pets are a part of our lives, our families, and our daily routines. Welcoming dogs into the coworking space is just one more way we make work more human, more joyful, and a little less ordinary.
So leash up, clean up, and bring your best friend to work. Just don’t forget the treats—and maybe a dog bed under your desk!
