What Truckers Need to Know
Did you know that according to a recent Harris Poll, out of the 60% of truck drivers that are pet owners 40% of them bring their animals with them? We were surprised too! The idea of having an office pet is cool, but a truck driving pet? That’s even cooler.
Truckers not only bring dogs to work with them, but cats, birds, reptiles and ferrets are some animals known to go along for the ride as well. There’s a lot that goes into getting your truck and animal ready for the road. Here are some helpful tips to help you prepare if you want to bring your pet to work with you too.
The How: Things to Consider Before Driving with Your Pet
Company Policy: Make sure to check your company’s pet policy before bringing your pet with you to work. Not all companies allow their drivers to bring animals with them to work, so double-check with yours to make sure. If you’re looking for a trucking company to work for that has a pro pet policy, here’s a couple of resources to help you along in your search, Top 5 Trucking Companies That Allow Pets and Trucking Companies That Allow Pets.
Driving Experience: The road is a precarious place, to ensure your safety and the safety of the animal, it’s best if you’re a confident and experienced driver before bringing your pet along. It’s recommended that drivers have at least six months of driving experience under their belt to prepare for any additional furry passengers.
Pet Care: It’s important to have proper pet supplies with you at all times for life on the road. You may not be able to plan for every situation you may encounter, but items like water, food, treats, toys, a leash or even a Pet loader are a great place to start. You might want to think of a solution if you find yourself stuck in traffic and your animal needs to relieve itself. Do your best to plan for all the possibilities in order to create the best and safest environment for you and your furry friend.
Safety Measures: One important thing to consider if you decide to take your pet with you is to have your animal restrained while driving. This precaution is recommended to protect the animal, yourself or other passengers and drivers in the event an accident were to occur. It also is a smart way to prevent distractions. Numerous crashes have been reported from distracted driving due to unrestrained animals. Click here for more pet passenger safety tips.
The Why: Outstanding Benefits of Bringing Your Pet to Work
Companionship: Truck driving can be a lonely profession with long hours spent on the road away from family and friends. Having an animal with you is a healthy way to combat loneliness and boredom. As the saying goes, “A dog is man’s best friend,” and what better work companion to have than your best friend?
Mental Health: Have you ever heard of the “Pet Effect”? It’s believed that pets can help alleviate feelings of stress, depression, anxiety, feelings of social isolation and loneliness. It’s also been reported that 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership. Source
Socially: Studies have shown that pets help facilitate social interaction as others are more likely to approach the animal and make conversation with you. In doing so, pets can help you feel more connected to others, which is especially nice if your work takes you away from your friends and family for long periods of time. Source
Physical Health: Animals keep you active! Most of us won’t take ourselves out on a walk but are willing to go the extra mile for our animals. Having a pet with you is a great way to keep yourself moving and healthy. A new study reveals that the positive effects from exposure to nature, say from a walk, can last up to 7 hours. Your morning walk with your dog can do wonders for your physical and mental health.Source
Pet-Friendly Rest Stops Across the US
East Coast: Florida 595 Truck Stop in Davie, FL is the biggest full-service truck stop on the east coast with amenities for food, lodging, supplies, service center, and features the largest parking facility in the southeast.
Mid West: Oklahoma Welcome Center located in Blackwell, Ok offers a clean place to rest and a dog park for your dog to enjoy and stretch its legs.
West Coast: 49er Travel Plaza is in Sacramento, CA off I-80. This full-service rest stop not only offers the cheapest gas in town, but you guessed it, they’re pet-friendly and offer a pet wash to freshen up your pup!
To find additional rest stops and resources for your pet, consider downloading an app for a convenient way to find more information as you travel. Here are some popular apps for you to choose from US Rest Stops, Bring Fido, and Figo.
The benefits of taking your animal with you to work are certainly worth the extra steps needed to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. We can see why 40% of truck drivers are doing just that! Whether your animal of choice is a dog or a bird it’s important to take some time to prepare before hitting the road, and hope this article helps make the transition a little easier for you.
