With Mental Health Awareness Month coming to an end, we’re introducing our final profile in NextUp’s ‘Paws for Mental Health’ series, created in partnership with Purina. Meet Erika Tervelt, the Vice President of Merchandising Consumables at PetSmart, alongside her two beloved Bichon Poodles, Bella (aged 15) and Winnie (age 14)! Erika’s hybrid schedule and pet-friendly work environment have granted her the freedom to spend quality time with her senior dogs, who now prefer the comfort of home, while also enjoying the presence of her coworkers’ pets in the office!
How has having a pet influenced your daily routine, especially in relation to your work schedule? How does your work arrangement (in office, remote, hybrid) affect the time you spend with your pet?
I used to bring Bella and Winnie into the office when they were younger. Working for a pet retailer definitely has its perks! We have a dog park at our office, pets are allowed in any and all meetings, and there are plenty of other pets around for play dates to keep them occupied. Now that they are seniors (15 and 14), they prefer to stay home, but PetSmart has a hybrid work model, which makes it easy for me to stay at home with them a few days a week.
How does your pet add to your well-being & mental health at work? (For example, taking breaks in the day to go on walks.)
When I work in the office, it’s so nice to be able to get in some puppy cuddles in between meetings to give my brain a break. When I’m working from home, I love to take Bella and Winnie on walks to the park and sometimes meet up with a few other doodles from our neighborhood! It’s a huge stress relief to take breaks during the day to spend time with them. It’s great for both my mental and physical health!
Can you share any memorable or funny anecdotes about how your pet has interacted with your work environment or colleagues?
During the first few weeks of bringing Winnie into the office, she would get so excited to see everyone and meet the other dogs that she would pee at almost every interaction she had. Bella’s favorite toy is a tennis ball, so she would try to get everyone who walked by my office to play with her. She was pretty convincing and got a lot of playtime in!
What is it about your pet that contributes the most to your overall happiness and sense of well-being?
Winnie and Bella brighten my day, every day without fail. They can turn even the worst of days around with a simple wag of their tail or a cuddle. My life would not be complete without them.
What is your most cherished memory with Bella and Winnie?
My favorite memory of Bella and Winnie was when we brought my son home from the hospital, and they all met for the first time. I knew from that moment on that they would create a special bond, and they did. He has made them feel younger again, and they constantly play together.
Thank you for tuning in for NextUp’s Paws for Mental Health series, created in partnership with Purina. We’d love to hear from you! Share your story on how your furry friends are PAWSitively impacting your mental health on social media. Be sure to tag @NextUp and use #PawsforMentalHealth!
