For those who think the workplace is going to the dogs, you are right - and to the cats, and to the birds, too.
Some firms allow pets at the office.
American Management Systems, an information consulting firm in Fairfax, Va., for example, picks up the kennel tab for workers sent out of town unexpectedly. Another company, Synbiotics Corp. in San Diego, a supplier of animal health products, pays a portion of the annual veterinary bills for employees' pets. And a handful of companies even let workers bring their canine companions to the office. On any given day, at least three dogs accompany their owners to work, estimates Mr. Phillips, who occasionally brings his Dalmatian, Lombard. While laughable to some, companies and workers say pet policies help build loyalty.