Dogs are welcome at Castle HowardDogs are welcome at Castle Howard

Added: (Wed Jun 18 2003)

Pressbox (Press Release) - Banning dogs from walking in open spaces is short-sighted, lacking in imagination and you may be missing out on all sorts of social and economic benefits: that’s the view of the Castle Howard Management team who are leading the way nationwide by welcoming dogs in the grounds, and now even in the offices of this famous country Estate. Castle Howard finds that having dogs around makes for a happier, more relaxed staff who are stress-free, making them more motivated, and therefore productive.

A spokesman explained that dogs have always been welcomed to the grounds of Castle Howard along with their owners. Upon arrival every dog owner is handed a letter greeting them and their pet to Castle Howard and explaining a few basic ground rules that most people do automatically.

During the Foot and Mouth crisis Castle Howard was one of the few places open and became a haven for dog-walkers and their four-legged friends, a custom, which continues today. Castle Howard prides itself as being one of the few visitor attractions, which not only tolerates dogs but welcomes them and is proud to be considered a benchmark.

As well as visiting dogs many of the staff bring their canine companions to work with them regularly. ‘Poppy’ the Cairn Terrier, who belongs Interpretation and Education Coordinator, Heather Eisenhut; ‘Lilly’ the English Bull Terrier who lives on site with the Chauffeur and of course Mr & Mrs Howard’s dogs ‘Sandy’ and ‘Bassey’ are regular sights at Castle Howard.

Mr & Mrs Howard adopted ‘Sandy’, a Golden Retriever, from Battersea Dog’s Home in 2000 to provide company for ‘Bassey’, a Black Flat-coat Retriever and both wander in and out of meetings, interviews and presentations. Said one senior executive at Castle Howard “There is something quite disarming about sitting in a high powered Estate meeting with The Hon. Simon Howard and realising under the table there is a furry head finding its way onto your knee, and a canine tongue licking your hand”. The health benefits of pets are well known, maybe the commercial ones will be realised too in due course, and Castle Howard’s lead will become the norm.

Banning dogs from walking in open spaces is short-sighted, lacking in imagination and you may be missing out on all sorts of social and economic benefits: that’s the view of the Castle Howard Management team who are leading the way nationwide by welcoming dogs in the grounds, and now even in the offices of this famous country Estate. Castle Howard finds that having dogs around makes for a happier, more relaxed staff who are stress-free, making them more motivated, and therefore productive.

A spokesman explained that dogs have always been welcomed to the grounds of Castle Howard along with their owners. Upon arrival every dog owner is handed a letter greeting them and their pet to Castle Howard and explaining a few basic ground rules that most people do automatically.

During the Foot and Mouth crisis Castle Howard was one of the few places open and became a haven for dog-walkers and their four-legged friends, a custom, which continues today. Castle Howard prides itself as being one of the few visitor attractions, which not only tolerates dogs but welcomes them and is proud to be considered a benchmark.

As well as visiting dogs many of the staff bring their canine companions to work with them regularly. ‘Poppy’ the Cairn Terrier, who belongs Interpretation and Education Coordinator, Heather Eisenhut; ‘Lilly’ the English Bull Terrier who lives on site with the Chauffeur and of course Mr & Mrs Howard’s dogs ‘Sandy’ and ‘Bassey’ are regular sights at Castle Howard.

Mr & Mrs Howard adopted ‘Sandy’, a Golden Retriever, from Battersea Dog’s Home in 2000 to provide company for ‘Bassey’, a Black Flat-coat Retriever and both wander in and out of meetings, interviews and presentations. Said one senior executive at Castle Howard “There is something quite disarming about sitting in a high powered Estate meeting with The Hon. Simon Howard and realising under the table there is a furry head finding its way onto your knee, and a canine tongue licking your hand”. The health benefits of pets are well known, maybe the commercial ones will be realised too in due course, and Castle Howard’s lead will become the norm.