More and more furry friends joining the workforce (7 photos)

There's a new type of greeter popping up at local businesses and they can do more than greet you, they might even lick your face.

Pets are being incorporated into the work environment in many Sault businesses including Maple Leaf Motors, Sweet Greetings, the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, and Perry's Great Northern Gun and Bow, to name a few.

Maple Leaf Motors goes so far as to list their dog Sako as the official greeter on its website.

"I bought a puppy three years ago and my wife decided it would be just cruel to let a little puppy sit at home alone while we're at work. We own the business so we have to be here long hours. That's how it started," said Landon Odom, dealer principle of Maple Leaf Motors.

"We checked with the employees and made sure we weren't going to offend anybody and everyone said it was fine, so he's here pretty much whenever I'm here."

Sako goes to work with Odom and leaves with him every night, after his greeting duties are fulfilled of course.

The same is said for Citori, the welcoming golden retriever at Perry's Great Northern Gun and Bow, who is sometimes joined by another employee's chocolate lab, Rooster.

"We've always had hunting dogs and we allow dogs in the store. Everybody brings their dogs in to try on hunting vests and things like that," said Jane Perry, owner of Perry's Gun and Bow. "We've always looked for friendly dogs, golden retrievers, and they wind up being greeters."

Perry believes as a business they appear more friendly and like a 'mom and pop' organization thanks to the dogs.

The animals taking to the workforce range from birds to cats to dogs, and they put in hours every day to make sure customers are welcomed properly.

Both Odom and Perry say their dogs are very well-received by customers and sometimes part of the reason why customers come in.

"It brings a smile to a lot of people because a dog is always super happy to see anybody. The customers have become accustomed to it and they start looking forward to coming in and seeing [Sako]," said Odom.

"We get people who pop in with their kids just to see the dogs. The children love playing with them," said Perry.

Lil Bit, a friendly feline at the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority, is also a hit with children.

Christine Ropeter, the Conservation Authority's assistant manager, said staff named her Lil Bit because she is 'a little bit good and a little bit bad.'

Lil Bit was brought to the Conservation Authority as a companion for their first cat, Casanova, who passed away.

"Unfortunately some people in the city, or passing through the city, leave unwanted pets in the Hiawatha Highlands. [Casanova] was just wandering around so we took him in and he helped us with our mouse problem," said Ropeter. "We got a companion for him from the Humane Society, which is our present cat Lil Bit."

Ropeter said she believes there are significant benefits to having an animal present in the workplace.

"We hoped to get away from using some of the pest control methods currently out there, something more environmentally friendly while giving cats a good home."

"And of course they really do help with morale and stress relief in the workplace. It gives you a chance to take a break from your computer. It's an icebreaker a lot of the time too. If somebody comes in and they're upset about something it really eases the situation. She is a great ambassador."

Each of the organizations SooToday talked to has proper allergy accommodations in place for when a customer with allergies comes in, or when one simply does not feel comfortable with the animal around.

Jennifer Kotyk, owner of Sweet Greetings, took many factors into consideration before getting her Westie, Griffon.

"The intention always was when we got our empty nester dog, that he would come to work,' said Kotyk. "That's why we were very specific about what we got, a hypo-allergenic, easy-going, low maintenance dog."

"I've never had anybody not like him. He's really laid back, like he would never jump on you."

Griffon has two spots set up in the store, one for his break time when he's not busy greeting customers, and one for when there is a crowd in the store.

"Griffon goes in the back office when there are crowds, just to keep him out of the way. He is never in the kitchen area, but he's never interested in the food anyway," said Kotyk.

(PHOTO: Griffon with one of his favourite toys at Sweet Greetings. Michael Purvis/SooToday)