Norman from Normandy Shoppe takes a much needed break.
Norman, Ben, Duffy, Lily, Brodie, Boo: these are just a few of the friendly faces who will greet you at the door at some of the businesses along Corydon Ave. No, they’re not salespeople, marketing specialists, or chefs; they’re valued members of the business community on Corydon Ave that some call they’re “Canine Executive Officers.”
That’s right, they’re dogs.
Lily & Brodie from Peepers Swimwear
It’s a dog-eat-dog world in most corporations but not on Corydon Ave where bringing your canine companion to work is a daily routine.
“I remember walking into a client’s office when I was in the corporate world and being greeted by his dog,” says Donna Anderson of Peepers Swimwear at 866 Corydon Ave. “I said to myself that I need to do that.”
And she did. Donna’s two Pugs, Lily and Brodie arrive at the door to welcome everyone before she does.
“As a business owner, the hours away from home are long but having them here almost feels like I’m home,” says Donna.
Duffy from Radiance Gifts
Across the street at Radiance Gifts, Lisa Tjaden’s, Westie, Duffy sits patiently on the stairs watching for his next opportunity at attention.
“He loves coming here,” says Lisa. “Some days he’s more excited than I am to come to work. He loves the attention customers give him. Some people ask for him the minute they walk in the door.”
Norman from Normandy Shoppe
“Norman is a mini golden doodle and has been at the store since we opened, November of 2013,” says Amanda from Normandy Shoppe. “Customers really enjoy him. He has lots of people that like to come visit him regularly (and their dogs too of course. “They usually see him in the window before they walk in so they are excited to get to pet a pup. For us, It’s comforting, the shop feels like home to us, so it makes sense that Norman is with us.”
Ben from Hip Pooch
“Dogs in the workplace can make a positive difference,” wrote Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D. and professor of management in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business. “The differences in perceived stress between days the dog was present and absent were significant. The employees as a whole had higher job satisfaction than industry norms.”
Boo from Angles Hair Design
And there are many more CEOs along Corydon. Ben at Hip Pooch at 807 Corydon Ave is a bit of style hound (see what we did there) showing off his latest multi-coloured look. And Boo over at Angles Hair Design at 241 Lilac St watches over the stylists with a keen eye making sure every cut is just perfect.
And if you’re still wondering how dog friendly the area is – take a look inside Gravity Lingerie on Stafford. They may not have a sales-dog or CEO but they have dishes of water and treats in the corner just in case a canine customer pops by for a visit.
Corydon Times 