Meet Bruce

Breed:  Rescue

Barking from:  Auckland

What's up dog?

Bruce was a rescue found at 5 months old running scared through South Auckland. His Mum and Dad adopted him from death row in June 2018 and since then he has been an integral part of his family. When Mum started a new job in June 2022, Bruce also started his career as the Office gentle giant. He joined the team of 6 employees plus Pippy the 16 year old Labradoodle and Lilibet the 4 month old Miniature Fox Terrier. His day to day work varies from distracting an over stimulated puppy, protecting his old friend from said over stimulated puppy, human stress relief, alerting the office to the courier arriving, being best and biggest cow rug in the smallest office and ensuring all crumbs are swept up after lunch. He uses his 50kgs to lean on anyone he feels needs to give him pats, but also thinks he’s a 4kg Foxy like Lilibet and squeezes under the lunch table.

He has even been promoted to warehouse support which includes being a spotter when mums on the forklift, positioning himself at the front door for compulsory pats from all visitors, greeting everyone who shares our 18 unit warehouse complex (he even knows more people here than his mum does!) and sunbathing when possible in the middle of the carpark. He’s even made his own dog friends within the warehouse complex who turn up weekly for a playdate. Wendi from accounts says “I look forward to the mornings Bruce gallops up the stairs and bops me for his morning pat. He relieves any stress I may be feeling straight away and ensures that I take my breaks (when he wants a treat or needs to go toilet!)”

Madi from Marketing says “At lunchtime he gathers us all together around the table and makes us feel united as a team and like there’s no need to worry about dropping food on the floor”

Jerome the Director says “From day one Bruce and I have had a special bond as being the only males in the company. He’s my four-legged best mate and we love some rough and tumble play followed by a good cuddle”

Maree the Warehouse Manager says “Seeing Bruce bound into the warehouse in the morning brings a huge smile to my face and the best thing is I can see its reciprocated on his face too!”
We cannot imagine our workplace without any dog, let alone Bruce he just uplifts us all every single day."

2024 NZ Top Office Dog Award

Judging and criteria

This award will be judged on:

Purpose

Four-legged support can be shown in multiple ways and furry forms in the workplace, and this award celebrates a supreme dog that supports their people to do their best mahi. We are looking for a top office dog with tail wags, affectionate licks, playful walks and that special presence that boosts their owner and co-worker’s mental health while contributing to a positive work culture. They may be a work from home dog, an office dog – or a hybrid pooch! 

Reach

Is the dog dedicated to improving the life of one human, or an entire team?

Impact

How big an impact does this dog have in the workplace? Explain how much your canine friend has improved mental health at work or office culture, and give examples of how they have made an impact. 

Quirky

All dogs are special. Does your dog possess a superpower? Please note their special talent or a trick they perform on demand.