Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | June 30, 2025 | Worcester Business Journal 11 My workplace doesn't allow dogs The number of workplaces throughout the U.S. allowing dogs, or other employee pets, is growing. Many major companies throughout the nation allow dogs in the workplace, such as Salesforce, Ben & Jerry's, and Google, and a number of local establishments allow patrons to bring their dogs indoors, such as the Worcester coffee shops Cordella's and New Tradition. When polled online, the majority of WBJ readers said their workplaces don't allow dogs. Does your workplace allow dogs? Reader comment: "I gotta tell you, I'd rather have the puppies here any day than some of my customers!! SUPPORT NEADS." Making Community Connections for Opportunities to See. Believe. Achieve. On Thursday, June 26, sponsors, golfers, and volunteers Answered the Call to Care at the 37th Annual New Beginnings Charity Golf Tournament. This significant fundraiser for the Community Connections program at Seven Hills supports thousands of people with disabilities who engage in sports, recreation, and leisure activities that develop skills, encourage interests, build friendships, and promote wellness. Seven Hills is profoundly grateful for your participation in New Beginnings and the difference you make for people in need. You Answered the Call to Care F O C U S Enrichment sells Before she opened A Bark Above Dogventures, a Worcester-based dog adventure and training company, Marina eberge was working in finance until she realized she could make a business out of her daily two- hour dog hikes. Starting with just a handleful of clients in January 2022, eberge has grown A Bark Above's clientele to about 60 throughout the company's service offerings. While today she offers around-the-block walks, what always has and continues to be the number one seller is her signature two-hour nature hikes. ey come with pick up and drop off transportation services, which was far from a common service offering not that long ago. "When I was a child, most dogs were backyard dogs," said eberge. "Now … some people … they see their dogs as like their kids." She's observed a pivot in many owners' preferences toward enrichment and wanting for their dogs to experience physical and mental stimulation: an uncommon concept just a few years ago, she said. "ey're like 'Oh my God, while I'm at work, my dog is having fun. ey're safe. ey're socializing. ey're going to be tired, more content, happy,'" said eberge. ese dogventures allow for dogs to have their own social circles, she said. It's another trend she's seeing rise in tandem with personalized care, hence A Bark Above's multiple walking, training, and boarding offerings. "at's really what it comes down to; they're just happy to know that their dog is not sitting at home and not sitting at a daycare on a couch," said eberge. Another business owner who has seen similar companies come to surface aer his is Brew Biscuits, owned by Chris Yurkus. Founded in May 2021, Brew Biscuits in Holden makes dog treats using spent grains sourced from local brewers and distillers. Yurkus came up with the idea to utilize the spent grain while homebrewing with friends during the pandemic. He started off by feeding the homemade treats to his dogs, then dispersing them to fellow owners on dog walks before he recognized a real PHOTOS | COURTESY OF A BARK ABOVE DOGVENTURES Continued on next page New Tradition cafe sees at least four to five dog patrons a day. Yes, for employees only 24% Yes, for everyone 17% 2% No, my workplace doesn't allow dogs. 57% Yes, for patrons only A Bark Above Dogventures offers two-hour, off-leash hikes with pick-up and drop-off services.

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