Promoting wellness through pet‐friendly academic work environments

Workplace stress, burnout, and depression are common in higher education institutions, affecting employees’ job performance, morale, and retention. These challenges underscore the need for institutions to incorporate holistic wellness interventions that extend beyond traditional programming. One proposed approach is the incorporation of pet‐friendly policies. Interactions with animals have been shown to reduce stress, promote emotional regulation, physical health, and social connectedness. In academic environments such benefits may translate into stronger teams and healthier work environments