The search is on to find the best dog-friendly businesses

Phil Ewbank, Chairman at Fix Auto, with Billie

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The Kennel Club’s Be Dog Friendly Awards 2014 launches today (1 July) which aims to find the most dog friendly places in the North West.

Speaking to local businesses, it is apparent that dogs make a difference within the workplace.

Phil Ewbank, Chairman at Fix Auto, said: “When we began this company 33 years ago, it was apparent we needed a guard dog to protect the property. So, we rescued a Great Dane from a local shelter.

It was clear that our guard dog was soon becoming our pet. Ever since then, we have had dogs at our business. We currently have a golden retriever called Billie.

Dogs definitely make a difference in the workplace. They can act as an icebreaker when we talk to clients, and it often helps them open up more in meetings.

I don’t believe in leaving dogs at home all day, and I am very fortunate to be in a position where my workplace allows me to bring my dog in.”

Tracy Bleackley at Abbey Architectural Ironmongery said: “We keep our dog, Sparky, in the office so he’s not alone at home all day. He makes a difference to our workplace, our workers appreciate him and often bring him treats.”

Henry, the cute King Charles Spaniel was first brought to Butterworth’s of Rochdale as a puppy by his owner, store manager Paul Kenny, back in 2004.

Paul said: “Henry has just turned ten. I’ve been bringing him into work since he was very little and he now has his own fan club of customers.

“He lies in his bed behind the counter and sleeps most of the day but when he sees someone he recognises coming in he gets up and walks over to them. He likes to rub up against their leg to say hello.

“He’s definitely a very valuable member of the team and part of what our customers enjoy about coming into the shop.”

Rochdale Online’s dog, Winston, has been coming to work since he was 8 weeks old, he’s now just turned one-year-old.

Pauline Journeaux said: “I take him for a run before work and we have a walk round town during the day. Its amazing how much you can find out about what’s happening in town when you walk round it every day. We end up taking photos for news items or finding out about new shops that have opened.”

“He’s no trouble in the office, I’m very fortunate that I can bring him with me, everyone loves him being there.”

The awards are being held in association with Dog Friendly, the UK’s leading directory with over 32,000 carefully selected dog friendly entries.

Be Dog Friendly is a campaign that aims to reward and encourage businesses and public places across the UK that adopt a dog friendly attitude towards the nation’s 8 million dogs.

The winners across ten categories will be determined by public recommendation and vote. In addition to the category awards, a Special Recognition prize will be awarded to a place or business that the Kennel Club identifies as pulling out all the stops for its canine customers.

The Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko, said: “With over 8 million dogs in the UK, now is the perfect time to encourage more non-pet businesses in the North West to adopt a dog-friendly attitude.

Our research has shown that four out of five businesses with a dog-friendly policy say it has helped them attract more customers, and has had a beneficial effect on staff.

Taking dogs out and about, particularly as puppies, gets them used to being around people and other dogs and leads to a dog friendly nation.”

The competition will run until 10 October and the awards will be presented at the Discover Dogs Show, which will be held at Earls Court, London on 8-9 November.

To recommend and vote for your favourite dog friendly places or businesses, visit:

www.bedogfriendlyawards.co.uk

Everyone who makes a nomination or votes will be entered into a free prize draw to win a £1,000 voucher towards a dog-friendly holiday. Ten runners up will win tickets to Crufts and the Discover Dogs show.