TAILS FROM THE OFFICE

TAILS FROM THE OFFICE

Our Pets-in-Practice contest illustrates the fact that when canines get to work in optical, everyone is a winner

BY AMY SPIEZIO

When we started our Tails from the Office contest we weren’t sure what to expect…would cats turn out to rule the day? Would the overwhelming response be a NO DOGS ALLOWED policy? As it turns out, dogs do, in fact, rule optical, as shown by a hearty pack of respondents from coast to coast.

The winner of the contest, however, is Eyetopian Optical in Ft. Myers, FL, a practice that is not only home to two permanent canine employees, but also rescues pups who are then socialized in-shop and readied for adoption.

Nominator Kelly Chasnov describes the full-time pupticians, Amos and Demi: “Amos is a charming black standard poodle. He is four years old, and he is the official Eyetopian Optical greeter. He greets every person that comes in the door with his toy of the day. He is always wagging his tail and has never met a stranger.”

His companion, Demi, is Eyetopian Optical’s director of public relations. “She is a diva and selective of who she greets. We call it aloof. She is nine years old and has been with Eyetopian since she was rescued six years ago. Clients love watching her bounce and jump up and down when her favorite people come in,” Chasnov says.

NOT JUST A PRETTY SNOUT

But Amos and Demi are not simply adorable, they are contributing to the day-to-day business of the optical, and they have the business cards to prove it. These hard workers do lots of selling without saying a word, Chasnov notes. “We are known in the mall as the store with the dogs. Amos and Demi have both been responsible for bringing new people in as they play in the windows. For non-speaking employees, they sell thousands.”

Their patients reap the benefits of a dog- friendly store by enjoying a richer buying experience. “Having the dogs in the store creates a more relaxed atmosphere,” she notes. “It opens dialogue without a sales vibe and puts everyone at ease. Clients often bring treats and their friends in to visit our dogs.”

Good dogs! Contest runners up: (l to r) Daisy May, working at Site for Sore Eyes, and Fred, Lulu, and Rocky, on the job at Specs Optical

The dynamic duo aren’t alone in the store, however. They can often be found with the furry wards of the Chasnov’s local non-profit canine rescue, Wee Waggin’ Rescue. “We bring our various foster dogs to work to socialize them as well as find them wonderful homes; many of our clients have adopted our fosters. Clients and non-clients are always visiting to see what foster dog is holding court that day.”

The end result is that folks can come to Eyetopian for eyewear and sunwear and leave with better vision and a four-legged companion.

“As you can see, Pipkin and the patients enjoy each other’s company, and she has a calming effect on everyone, especially kids. We even have patients that have switched doctors so they can be seen where the cool dog is.”

Jim Podschun, O.D., private practice in Winter Park, FL

“Amalfi and Bacio come to work every day. They run into my office and greet my assistants. Then they run downstairs to their pen. Most of our patients know they are at work and we have quite a few who drop in to see the dogs.”

Kathi Leach, O.D., private practice in Mosinee, WI

OTHER INSPIRING STORIES

While the Tails from the Office contest had one big winner, there were many other stories that touched and inspired our judges to give two other practices and their pets awards, too. Comeback stories like 12-year-old cocker spaniel Daisy May at Site For Sore Eyes show the resilient spirit of pets and the kindness of their optical families.

Michele Block, an optician at Site for Sore Eyes in Oakland, CA, found Daisy tied up to an air conditioner with no food or water, looking less than healthy. The optician adopted her on the spot. Since Block lived in a no-animals rental, she wasn’t sure where the rescued pup would recover. “My wonderful boss said I could bring her to work, until I worked it out...Daisy and I talked the landlord into allowing her and now she is a permanent part of the workplace thanks to the ‘boss,’ Susan. She did it all!”

Now, “Daisy makes our work environment a better place,” Block says. “Kids love her and so do parents who can look for new glasses while the little ones pet Daisy.”

Located in an animal-friendly neighborhood, the permanent tenant of the optical fits right in. “More people ask about Daisy than the staff,” Block says. “Patients come in—and her dog friends, too—just to visit her.”

She also helps keeps the mood light and the staff and patients alike happy. “How can you be mad or angry when this little dog greets you and her little tail is wagging a mile a minute?” Block jokes. “One patient said ‘that tail must run on two DD batteries!’”

While Daisy is now happy and healthy, her struggles have forged a permanent bond with the staff of Site for Sore Eyes. Daisy and the practice’s doctor have gone through breast cancer together, and when the pup got her clean bill of health, the doctor gave her a special new pink breast cancer awareness tag with “Dr. Daisy” engraved on the back.

THREE FOR THE ROAD

A relocated office changed the lives of the final winners, rescue dogs Fred, Lulu, and Rocky, employees of Specs Optical in Nashville, TN. Susan Kistler notes, “About a year ago we moved out of a nearby mall that was a decidedly not-pet-friendly location, and it has been a wonderful change for us as well as them. They get happy feet every morning when they know it’s time to go to work.”

And work they do—on the specs website, specsnashville.com, Fred is listed as director of personnel, Rocky is director of marketing, and Lulu is director of security. The savvy canines even have their own Twitter account, @petsinspecs.

Their influence is also felt in Specs’ community outreach, “We incorporate the pet-friendly theme in our giving back to the community,” Kistler says. “For the last couple of years, we have held a Pets in Specs contest, asking people to submit photos of their pets wearing sunglasses or eyeglasses. We give gift certificates to the winners, but, more importantly, give $1 for every entry to a pet rescue organization. Two years ago, we supported Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue and Nashville Cat Rescue. Last year, our donations went to Crossroads Pets Shop and Adopt, an organization started by Emmylou Harris (songwriter and performer). Crossroads opened a retail store about a year ago which, in addition to selling things such as the food, toys, and accessories all pet parents need, has adoptable dogs and cats rescued primarily from high-kill shelters, and also has started a training program for at-risk youth aging out of the foster care system. All are very worthy organizations supporting the high volume of unwanted pets in this part of the country.”

“Most patients can remember Paisley and Diesel even before they remember me! In fact, this picture was taken and put on the front of my recall cards to remind patients to ‘Paws for your Eye Exam!’”

Cynthia Zwolensky, O.D. Clarksburg, WV

“Blondie is a nine-year-old yellow lab and the official office greeter for Rebuck & Associates Eye Care. She comes to the office every day ready with a lick and a wag for all of our patients. Blondie works for treats, belly rubs, and head scratches. Her presence in the office creates a very relaxed atmosphere for everyone—patients and employees alike!

Richard Rebuck, O.D., Rebuck & Associates Eye Care, Ranson, WV

Putting the contest together includes the creation of fun window displays “which have occasionally led to shoppers in the mall asking whether we were a pet eyewear store,” Kistler jokes.

At the end of the day, in all of the practices that nominated their pets for the Tails from the Office contest, the patients are happier, the dogs are happier, and most of all, the team working together every day is happier thanks to the inter-species mixing.

Specs’ Kistler says: “I used to have to leave them home, often for 12 hours a day when we were in the mall, and I always felt so guilty. I am much happier at work having my three dogs with me.”

EB thanks everyone—two-legged and four-legged—for their participation in this contest!

Honorable mentions: (l to r) Coco and Chloe; Terry Joe; Lola; and Polly and Dante

GOOD DOGS! (AND SUGAR GLIDERS)
THESE ENTRANTS DESERVE A SPECIAL TREAT FOR THEIR GOOD BEHAVIOR

YOUNGEST ENTRANT: COCO, EYE IMPACT, HOUSTON, TX
While Chloe, a three-year-old dog, has been receiving raves at Eye Impact for a few years, says Gary Nguyen, O.D., the youngest nominee in the contest was her co-worker Coco, a 10-month-old puppy. “Coco is incredibly cute and still a puppy. Pretty much every patient notes how adorable he is.”

OLDEST ENTRANT: TERRY JOE FROM LA GRANGE VISION CENTER
Terry Joe is an 18.5-year-old miniature schnauzer nominated by Connie Rachel Bolfik at La Grange Vision Center in La Grange, TX. Terry puts his life experience to good use with young patients. “Little kids are put at ease by talking to and petting Terry,” Bolfik says.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: LOLA, GLANCE EYEWEAR GALLERY, GRANGER, IN
“Little Lola is a pistol,” says her “mom,” Lenore Tracey of Glance Eyewear Gallery in Granger, IN. “She has become the official ‘spokespuppy’ for Glance. Lola wanted a birthday party but insisted that in lieu of gifts her guests make donations to the local pet refuge.”

BEST NON-CANINES: POLLY AND DANTE, CLARKSBURG, WV
These tiny marsupials come to the office with Christie Smith Cox of Clarksburg, WV. She says Polly and Dante make the dispensary a little more entertaining: “Most people have never seen a pet like this, so it certainly makes for interesting conversations.”