Dozens of employees at the Interior Department brought their pooches to work Friday to take part in the agency's first “Doggy Day."
Secretary Ryan Zinke is testing out the program in an effort to boost morale and also attract top talent to the department.
“It does improve morale among a lot of people,” said Zinke, who showed up to his first day on the job on a U.S. Park Police horse.
“The other thing is, we have to compete for our people. Up front, I want the best people at Interior, and young millennials, they view life and the working environment to be super important, and I want to reflect that a little,” he added.
Zinke often brings his 2-year-old pup Ragnar to the office, but on Friday he was joined by roughly 87 employees and their four-legged friends.
Today is the day! @Interior has their first ever #DoggyDay! Meet some of the early risers. ?????? pic.twitter.com/uu918I2shD
— Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) May 5, 2017
The @USInterior has become the *first* federal department to go "dog friendly" ?? pic.twitter.com/0lPwW9ecOm
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 5, 2017
There's so much excitement at @Interior for #DoggyDay today. pic.twitter.com/nSUB96uapD
— Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) May 5, 2017
Nothing brings people together like #DoggieDay. I got to meet 80+ @Interior employees and dogs today. pic.twitter.com/kbwE0du2z5
— Secretary Ryan Zinke (@SecretaryZinke) May 5, 2017
Another ‘doggy day’ is already on the books, but the date has not yet been announced.