There’s something disarming about being handed a puppy in the middle of a working day. People who had been deep in emails five minutes earlier were suddenly on the floor, laughing, chatting, properly switching off. It changed the mood of the whole office in a way that no “wellbeing initiative” ever really manages to.
And that stuck with us.
Because it wasn’t just a nice moment. It was a reminder that pets can make a difference. They break up the day, they pull you out of your own head, and they give you a bit of perspective when things feel overwhelming.
After the session, quite a few people mentioned their own dogs and cats and how much they rely on them without really thinking about it. Others, who don’t have pets, were already asking when we were doing it again.
That’s when the conversation moved from “that was good” to “should we do something more with this?”
We didn’t want it to be a one-off. It felt a bit hollow to run something like that and then move straight back into business as usual.
So, alongside Philips and AOC, we decided to do something a bit more permanent. We’re now sponsoring kennels at the Destitute Animal Shelter in Bolton.
Hayley from our team and Mano from Philips went down to the shelter last week to see the work they do. It isn’t glamorous - it’s not all cute puppies and kittens. It’s hard, daily work. Animals coming in from difficult situations, needing care, attention, and in many cases a fair bit of patience before they’re ready to be rehomed.
What stood out wasn’t just the animals, but the people. It’s the kind of place that runs on commitment. Turning up every day, doing what needs to be done, often without much recognition.
Our sponsorship won’t transform the shelter overnight. It’s a small dent in their costs. But it will help keep the lights on, keep the kennels running, and means they can keep taking in animals that need somewhere safe to go.
And internally the team has really got behind it. There are quite a few people queuing up to replace Hayley on the next visit to Bolton!
Interestingly, it’s also sparked another conversation about wellbeing.
Not the formal version. Not policies or programmes. Just the reality of what actually helps people reset during a busy week. For some, that’s a dog walk before work. For others, it’s stepping away and being reminded there’s a world outside of work doing something really worthwhile, which puts your own day into perspective.
That’s probably the biggest takeaway for us. If you want people to feel supported, it’s not always about adding more structure. Sometimes it’s about doing something simple like playing with a pet or supporting a good cause.
If you’re local to Bolton or just looking for a way to support something worthwhile, it’s well worth taking a look at the Destitute Animal Shelter. They’re always looking for volunteers, donations, and support, and if you’re in a position to adopt, there are dogs and cats there that would benefit from a proper home.
Sofia Andersson
is a data-driven marketing executive with a passion for crafting high-impact campaigns that elevate brand visibility and drive measurable engagement across digital platforms. With a keen eye for analytics and consumer behaviour, she blends creativity with strategy to deliver results that resonate.
sofia.andersson@tieva.co.uk
