Hate leaving your pooch alone all day while you head to your 9 to 5? Do you have a picture of the pup on your desk, and can’t wait to get home for a romp in the dog park? Then you’re in luck: tomorrow, June 20, is National Take Your Dog to Work Day. And not only do you have a day with your dog ahead of you, you have a chance to win a prize package with the Paws in the Office Photo Contest.

Pooch-A-Palooza, PAWS New England and Ring Communications have teamed up to make the photo contest possible, and participants are asked to share a pic of their pooch at their workplace on the Ring Communications Facebook page, where they’ll be displayed in the contest gallery and can collect votes. The photogenic pup with the most votes (Facebook likes) will win a package of toys, treats and more. Got a dog you can bring to the office? Upload your photo tomorrow, and then voting will last from June 20 to June 29. May the cutest canine co-worker win!

If you’ve never brought your dog to work before, of course check first to make sure it’s allowed. As for the benefits of bringing a pet with you to the office, Wellness, a pet food company, ran a Pet Parent Survey this year, and they found that 81 percent of cat and dog owners reported that having a pet around alleviated stress in their lives. But, among dog and cat owners, only 12 percent said they are allowed to take their pet to work. Of those who couldn’t, 48 percent said they would if they could. The survey also found that benefits of bringing your pet to work include mood improvement, more exercise and reduced stress.

Lucky enough to be able to bring your dog to work? Wellness Veterinarian Dr. Al Townshend provided some tips to make sure the day goes smoothly.

• Come Prepared – Make sure you have bowls for water and food, as well as dog treats on hand. Wellness CORE Superfood Protein bars for dogs are great examples of natural, on-the-go treats that can be easily stored in a desk drawer. Also, remember to bring a leash and collar for your dog.
• Respect Boundaries – While having pets in the office can be exciting and fun, you should be aware of and respect your colleague’s boundaries. Some may be allergic to pet dander, while others might not feel comfortable around pets. Make sure your pet does not stray from your immediate workspace or the designated boundaries.
• Cope with Cube Life – Many of us work in a cubicle environment, which can help reinforce that your dog stays within a designated area. As people get up and move around for meetings or casual conversations, make sure your dog is not distracted by noises and starts to wander into others’ cubes or the kitchen area.
• Have a Backup Plan – If you notice your dog becoming agitated or anxious at your work, you should have a backup plan that allows you to leave the office. A quick trip down the exit stairwell for fresh air and a bathroom break could ward off a larger disruption.  Anxious dogs in the office will only lead to other visiting pets becoming distracted.
• Discard Lunches Properly– No matter where you eat your lunch, whether in the kitchen or at your desk, the office should relocate any easy-to-reach trash bins to avoid prying pooches. If possible, all trash should be disposed in trash bins with lids to avoid any potential trash bin raids.
• Play Well with Others – If your office is prone to having more than one dog in on any given day, you will want to make sure your pet can get along with others before becoming an office guest. In the same regard, make sure your pet is friendly with other humans too. You do not want a dog in the office that gets agitated with strangers or with other pets.

Got all that? Here’s to a successful Take Your Dog to Work Day, and if you’re bringing Fido with you to the office, don’t forget to snap some adorable photos and submit them to the contest. Even if you don’t win, you’ll have some prime Instagram opportunity.

Image: Joanna Silva of Wellness HR poses with granddog Dash; via Wellness