Bringing dogs onto campus: Inclusions and exclusions of animal bodies in organizations. Issue 3 (1st May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Charles, Nickie; Wolkowitz, Carol
• Other Names: Sayers Janet guestEditor.; Hamilton Lindsay guestEditor.; Sang Kate guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Gender work and organization. Volume 26:Issue 3(2019:May)
• Page Start: 303
• Page End: 321
• Publication Date: 2018-05-01
• Subjects: animal bodies -- campus -- exclusion -- gender -- inclusion -- therapy dogs -- touch -- university library; Sex role in the work environment -- Periodicals; Sexual division of labor -- Periodicals; Sex discrimination in employment -- Periodicals; Organizational sociology -- Periodicals; Industries -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 306.361505
• DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-6673

Abstract

Abstract : Since the early years of the 20 th century, work organizations have largely been places where animal bodies are absent or invisible. Recently, US and UK universities have facilitated therapy dog visits to improve students' wellbeing. In this article we analyse data on therapy dog visits to a UK university library as a starting point for thinking about other than human animals in organizations and the gendered dimensions of their inclusion and exclusion. Rather than focusing solely on the benefits of these encounters for students, we put the experiences of the dogs and their guardians centre stage, along with those of the library staff and the students. Drawing on observations of visits to a UK university library in 2015–2016, and a total of 16 interviews with library staff, guardians and students, we explore the instrumental rationale for the programme and the efforts to control any potential disruption of normative organizational expectations.