TulsaPets Magazine March 2021

20 TulsaPets • March/April 2021 PET-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES FEATURE F rom restaurants to office settings, any business can become pet friendly, and statistics show there’s a myriad of benefits to being one of them. A study conducted by Nation- wide found 90% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces feel high- ly connected to their company’s mission, highly engage in their work and are willing to recom- mend their employers to others. According to “Better Cities for Pets,” 87% of employers say being dog friendly helps them at- tract and retain more talent. Furthermore, 59% of employees say they would choose an employ- er who is dog friendly over one who is not. Upping Your Pet-Friendly Game For workplaces that allow pets, employers can make the environment more pet friendly by adding hydration stations—automated water bowls for pets—or by creating a designated space for dog beds to help furry coworkers relax. Business owners can also select outdoor land- scaping and indoor plants with furry friends in mind. (Visit the ASPCA Poison Control Center for a list of toxic plants to avoid.) When You Can’t Host Pets Inside Train staff to explain the reasons why pets aren’t allowed. Be clear that you love pets, but it’s safer for them (or required by health codes) that they not be in your particular type of business. Offer pet-friendly takeaways—even if you can’t welcome pets, you might offer something pet owners can take home to their furry family members, such as a pet treat. For more pet-friendly ideas, visit the “Better Cities for Pets” website. In the meantime, we hope you’ll support the following local busi- nesses already working toward a pet-friendly community. PETS WORK AT WORK Andolini’s If you’re looking for “the best pizza in Oklahoma” you’ll find it at Andolini’s, according to the Food Network. Andolini’s is committed to an exceptionally high-quality process and true ingredients, which have been sustainably sourced, resulting in a unique dining experi- ence—one that approaches the craft of pizza making with a passion to uplift the art form through great service, great atmosphere and, above all else, great food. With five locations across the Tulsa area and a food truck, there’s an Andolini’s near you. And their pet-friendly patios are ready and wait- ing to welcome you and your pets for a springtime lunch or dinner, says Owner Mike Bausch. “Our patios are shaded, and some are climate controlled,” Bausch says. “We love getting customers’ pets water and supporting the love of animals. We welcome pets and try to make our spaces as pet friend- ly as possible.” Because he considers his own pets to be family, Bausch knows how important the love of a pet is to other families—“and how important that love is to the pet, too!” “We love Tulsa and how pet friendly it is. If you want to enjoy a family meal that includes your pet, we invite you to do that at one of our locations with a patio!”