FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VETCENTRIC'S ALL CREATURES ONLINE MAGAZINE REVEALS BEST WORKPLACE PET POLICIES; IAMS AND BURTON SNOWBOARDS SHARE POLICIES THAT PREVENT PET PROBLEMS

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Workers looking to impress their boss these days had better bone up on their petiquette. With 44 percent of American workers saying they've taken a pet to work, it's clear that four-legged friends have become an established fixture in the workplace. Businesses have moved beyond merely allowing pets in the door. Many companies are now establishing pets-at-work policies that prevent Fido from biting the hand that feeds his master.

According to an article in All Creatures, the online magazine of
VetCentric.com, the leading Internet site for animal healthcare information services, a few simple policies prevent animal lovers from turning a productive workplace into something that more closely resembles the Humane Society.

Pet food maker Iams is one company that allows workers in various departments to bring their pets with them on the job -- as long as the animal doesn't become a nuisance. "We expect all employees to ensure their animals don't take away from a productive work environment," Phil Crippen, director of human resources for the research and development division of Iams told All Creatures. "Most employees are very good about minding their animals and will stop bringing them in if the animal causes too many problems."

At snowboard manufacturer Burton Snowboards, dogs have always been free to walk the halls -- unless they cause allergies. "Some areas have not been able to have dogs because an employee there has had allergies," said Rachel Tatevosian, facilities supervisor. "Obviously, the health of an employee takes priority over another being able to bring a dog." Tatevosian admits that worker's dogs occasionally have "accidents." "Sure, especially with puppies," she explained. "But it's not a major problem. The embarrassment of cleaning up after their dog keeps owners pretty vigilant of when it's time to take their dog out."

Despite the extra vigilance required, Tatevosian insists that allowing pets in the workplace pays off. "Having dogs around the office is a great stress reliever," she said. "They're your buddy no matter what kind of day you're having, they give you something to laugh at, and they're a great reason to step outside for a minute for some fresh air. They also make sure you don't waste any food at lunch."

To view the full content of the article, point your Web browser to VetCentric.com and then select the "Magazine" icon.

About VetCentric
VetCentric is the leading provider of e-commerce infrastructure for the veterinary industry. By uniting the veterinary medical community with animal owners and industry suppliers, VetCentric allow veterinarians to provide better patient care, reduce costs, and streamline service delivery. VetCentric's consumer portal, at www.vetcentric.com, provides animal owners with original, high-quality content and services -- including the magazine All Creatures and the most extensive animal healthcare encyclopedia online. Investors in VetCentric include Asset Management, the Aurora Funds, Staenberg Private Capital, Vantage Partners, and Three Arch Partners. For more information contact VetCentric via phone, fax or e-mail.

CONTACT: VetCentric 2530 Riva Road, Suite 402, Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone: 410-571-6790 - Fax: 410-571-6799

John Schroeder, President, of VetCentric, 410-571-6790 or
john@vetcentric.com; or Bill Snethen, Press Liaison, of RMR & Associates, 301-217-0009 x34 or bsnethen@rmr.com. Web site: http://www.vetcentric.com/

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