Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Anyone who owns a pet knows the joy and companionship a furry or feathered family member can bring to our lives. But according to new research, many believe their pet played a key role in their climb to success.

A survey conducted by Banfield Pet Hospital® discovered a correlation between pets and professional achievements: 93 percent of C-suite executives surveyed in the U.S. grew up with a pet, with 78 percent attributing their career success in part to owning a pet as a child. And the credit doesn’t just go to dogs and cats.

While more than four in five (83 percent) C-suite executives surveyed grew up with a dog, and almost three in five (59 percent) grew up with a cat, nearly two in five (37 percent) grew up with a more unusual pet, such as a bird, rabbit or even a rodent. But regardless of the type of pet they had, top business leaders agreed their pet companions taught them valuable lessons as a child, such as responsibility, empathy and creativity…the very qualities that help them thrive as leaders in the workplace.

Remarkably, nearly a quarter (24 percent) of those surveyed said their childhood pet actually imparted more valuable lessons than their first internship. C-suite execs feel their pets helped them to develop important leadership skills, including discipline (92 percent), organization (79 percent) and the ability to identify and anticipate business needs (38 percent).

Almost three in five (59 percent) execs also credit their childhood pet for having a positive impact on their ability to think outside the box. And more than three in four (77 percent) said walking a pet helps them brainstorm business ideas and boosts creativity at work.

If you didn’t grow up with a pet, it’s not too late to reap the benefits. Banfield's survey suggests current pet ownership can go a long way in the workplace. Nearly all current pet owners surveyed reported they stick to a schedule or routine (86 percent), have better time management (86 percent) and are good at multitasking (86 percent) because of their pets.

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