(PRESS RELEASE) TAMPA, FL – Kristen Levine, a nationally known pet parenting expert, pet advocate and creator of Pet Living, partnered with Great Pet Care, an online publication for expert-sourced pet health information, to create The Pet Parent’s Back to Work Guide, a free online guide for pet parents returning to work after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Last month I started hearing from my friends and Pet Living readers that they were concerned about how their pets would react to them leaving the house for work and other activities once social distancing ends. That’s what sparked the idea to create a guide to help all pet parents with that same concern,” said Levine. “I partnered with Great Pet Care to quickly develop a useful and expert-informed tool to guide them in helping their pets through the transition.”
In addition to the guide, Levine conducted an email survey of Pet Living subscribers about pet parents’ plans to return to work, which garnered more than 600 responses. According to respondents, 60 percent plan to return to work, or to a more normal schedule that takes them out of the home periodically, in the next 30 days. Half of that group expressed concern about how their pets will react to this change in routine, which further supports why it’s important for pet parents to start developing and practicing back to work schedules now to ensure a smooth transition, and to avoid stress and anxiety that could lead to more serious issues like separation anxiety, depression/loneliness and possible destructive behavior.
The guide, divided into sections for dog and cat parents, includes advice from veterinary and training experts, Dr. Liz Bales, Dr. Valerie Tynes and professional dog trainer, Gila Kurtz. Topics include:
- Re-establishing a routine by implementing back-to-work schedules
- Providing distractions for your pets like toys for independent playtime or a safe space to relax
- Trying anxiety reducing practices and calming products to see what works best for your pet
“Our pets have provided endless love and comfort during this stressful time of quarantine and social distancing, and it’s important that we return the favor and make sure they don’t feel anxious as we go back to working outside of our homes,” said Deidre Grieves, Director of Content for Great Pet Care. “Teaming up with Kristen Levine and the pet experts at Pet Living allows us to reach more pet parents and help them keep their pets happy during these changing times.”
To learn more, visit The Pet Parent’s Back to Work Guide at www.kristenlevine.com/back-to-work.