A unique networking group has been set up in Carlisle for people who fancy a lunchtime walk with their dogs.
It has been launched by dog-crazy solicitors Wragg Mark-Bell in response to the growing trend for people to bring their dogs into work.
At Wragg Mark-Bell – or should that be Wagg Mark-Bell? – you will find dogs in almost every office with senior partner Nick Kennon being kept company by Fern, a placid 13-year-old Irish wolfhound-greyhound cross and Benji, a dog rescued from Cyprus.
Leading criminal solicitor Sara Budniak works with her little dog Rocco and overall the 19 staff at Wragg Mark-Bell have 17 dogs between them.
The solicitors are taking a lead in the increasing acceptance of dogs in the workplace. Around Carlisle, for example, you will find several dogs among the people working at The Guild offices and Racecourse general manager Molly Dingwall works with her dog Wiggle in her office.
Having a dog at work is said to be good for office morale and destressing, but while it is good for the staff what do the dogs get out of it?
Well, now they can join their owners on a fun netwalking session from Carlisle city centre and around Bitts Park.
Nick Kennon is hoping that the idea will take off and provide an alternative way for local businesses to meet up as well as exercise their dogs.
“We’ve been bringing dogs into work for a while now and it certainly helps everyone relax a bit. You do need to think about walking them during the day and from our offices on Castle Street we notice people nipping out from other businesses with their dogs during the day.
“So we thought it would be a monthly dog walk would be a great way to get to know some other Carlisle businesses. It is a good time to start it too – with the nights drawing in it’s a chance to get some fresh air during the day before it gets dark,” he said.
Other businesses are already signing up to support the idea. Dan Matthews, of the appropriately named Black Lab Sofware, said: “I often work in The Guild and quite a few of us bring our dogs along so this will be a good chance to get out into the park and chat with some interesting businesses.”
The first ‘Netwalking with Wagg Mark-Bell’ takes place on October 16 at 12.30pm, starting from Castle Street and setting off for a circuit around Bitts Park. Anyone interested in taking part is ask to register at bit.ly/netwalkingWMB
