He let the dogs in
Tuesday, October 23,2007
BY ANNE LEVlN
Special to the Times

Most bosses don't look favorably upon napping on the job. But at Community Grants, Planning & Housing, daytime snoozes are encouraged. Some office denizens even have their own beds dog beds, that is -- set up in the corner.

Canines and their owners co-exist happily at CGP&H, a first- floor suite of offices in a building behind a strip mall off Route 33 in East Windsor. On a recent afternoon, Brownie the 14-year-old Shetland sheepdog dozed contentedly by the desk of his owner, company president Randall M. Gottesman. Down the hall, JP the 3-year-old "party poodle" (two colors) greeted a visitor to owner Corinne Markulin's office while Honey, a shy shepherd mix, hung back behind the desk.

"We're so appreciative to Randy for allowing us to do this," says Markulin, who fosters dogs, and some cats, with the Burlington County Animal Alliance. "I have adopted so many dogs and to be able to bring them in to work is great!”

Gottesman makes sure to mention the company's informal dog policy when interviewing prospective employees. "I let people know, because they might think of it as a benefit or a problem, " he says.

CGP&H is a planning, housing and grant-writing consulting firm, primarily geared toward municipalities throughout New Jersey. When Gottesman started the company 15 years ago, he had just gotten Brownie. He brought the dog to work on occasion. Soon, associate Mark Leckington began bringing his dog to the office.

"As the company grew, I realized that this was kind of becoming a policy," says Gottesman. "Mark helped me create the policy, and we've had it ever since.”

Of the firm's 16 employees, at least half are accompanied to the office by their dogs on any given day. "If they are peaceful, nonviolent dogs, I give permission," says Gottesman. "My people are good. I feel this policy makes everybody happier. The grant-writing business is very deadline-driven and can be stressful. Dogs can be a pressure-reliever. And having them here takes the worry out of dog care.”

The usual office sounds -- beeping phones, clacking printers -- are accompanied by the occasional woof or yelp at CGP&H. Toby the bichon/Shih-tzu/American Eskimo mix, at 7 months old the youngest canine at the company, is easily the most vocal. From behind a baby gate in his owner's office, the dog whimpers excitedly when Gottesman looks in.

"There have been a few barking incidents, but never a single bite," he says. "We can go an entire day without a bark. The puppies are the most challenging. The owners have to work harder to keep them busy. But we've never had a problem."

Lauren Britt works at her computer while Simon. her 5-vear-old sheltie, naps quietly next to the desk.

"It works out well because my husband and I are out 12 hours a day." she says. "This way, I don't have to worry about him. I just take him outside when he needs to go out and walk right back in."

Some of the dogs interact with each other, but most tend to stick with their owners and follow them around the office, Gottesman says. While his canine company policy is not written or formal, it is firmly in place. Gottesman hopes that other offices can be inspired to follow suit.

"I'd be happy to talk to anyone about the policy," he says. "There is no downside to it. It has become a no-brainer. It's everything positive."