By Adria L. Henderson

And

Lisa N. Peterson

As you drive up to Ellen Plasil’s home-based law office in Newtown there’s no mistaking the presence and importance of her dogs.

The first hint is the silhouette of a black labrador on the mailbox, followed by Ellen’s vehicle with the MYLABS license plate. If you somehow managed to miss those two signs, you probably won’t miss the obedience ring set up in the front yard – complete with jumps – or the unmistakable sound of happy, barking dogs as you approach the front door.

 The Legal Labs - Reggie, a 5 ½ year old, male yellow lab and Sophie, a 3 ½ year old, female black lab – are Ellen and Greg Plasil’s labrador retrievers. Reggie and Sophie have garnered a special spot in our series on Newtown’s dogs that “work” with their owners.

Not only do Reggie and Sophie spend the whole workday with Ellen, they are the reason that Ellen Plasil moved her law practice from an office in Danbury to her home in Newtown. 

Attorney Plasil regularly brought her dogs to her Danbury office. Because there was no outdoor, fenced-in area she or her secretary would have to leash walk the dogs several times during the day. Due to this “extra canine duty,” her legal support staff was chosen based on their ability to get along with and care for her dogs. Part of their job description was to allow time to walk and spend time with the dogs if Ellen was in court or otherwise out of the office.

However, after Attorney Plasil acquired Sophie as a 7-week-old puppy, she realized that having to leash-walk both dogs was becoming far too burdensome in her office setting.   

It was about that time that Attorney Plasil’s lease was due for renewal at her Danbury law office.  She had to make a decision whether or not to renew, and she had six weeks to decide. Ellen arrived for work one day pushing her rolling, legal file cart with one hand while holding Reggie’s leash, the other hand holding the leash for her new seven-week old puppy, Sophie, and trying to balance a thermos of coffee under her arm.

She knew immediately what decision to make. That morning she called her husband, Greg and asked how long it would take him to renovate part of their house to add an office suite.

His reply, “Three months.’’

Ellen said, “You have six weeks”.

Six weeks later she and the dogs moved into their new “digs” in Newtown.

Attorney Plasil is very conscious of her client’s feelings about her dogs. She always asks if they are comfortable having the dogs around. If they agree, Reggie and Sophie are allowed to say hello and then are given the “Go to Cubby” command. They immediately go to their respective spots in the office alcove and remain until Ellen tells them its OK. Although extremely friendly and warm, the dogs will never approach a client unless Ellen has given them the proper signal. 

In addition to the office suite that was added at her home, Attorney Plasil completely fenced in her back yard and, as she says,  “I renovated the swimming pool for the dogs. Neither Greg nor I go in”.  With summer here, not only do the dogs get to run, fetch and generally have a great time outdoors they also get their daily swimming exercise.  Both Reggie and Sophie will tirelessly jump in the pool to retrieve balls or Frisbees.

Both Reggie and Sophie have had formal obedience training.  Reggie, the obedience “star” of the family, has several American Kennel Club Obedience titles including his CD, (Companion Dog) and his CDX, (Companion Dog Excellent). He recently began working on his UD or Utility Dog title, an advanced obedience degree. Sophie, a beautiful representation of the breed, is a conformation Champion and also has points toward her CD.  Their successful obedience work is one of the reasons that Ellen is able to keep the dogs with her while she meets with clients. Both Reggie and Sophie are very responsive to Ellen’s commands.  Only the “Go to Cubby” command was added to Reggie and Sophie’s extensive obedience command repertoire to complete the perfect office dog routine. 

In addition to his obedience titles, Reggie is also a Certified Therapy Dog, allowing him to visit patients in nursing homes and hospitals where dogs are permitted.  The “perfect gentleman,” Reggie is wonderful with seniors as well as children.  He generously offers the affection and warmth studies have shown are so necessary to the successful treatment of hospital patients and the well being of the elderly. He’s also waiting for his big, show business break. Aside from being extremely handsome and even-tempered, Reggie is completely trained using only hand signals, the perfect dog for movies and commercials.

Reggie and Sophie Plasil are not the only ones who the benefit from the home office setting. Ellen finds that having the dogs near her keeps her more relaxed and focused.  She doesn’t have to wonder if they’re lonely, need to go for a walk or just want some attention.  She’s right there for them all the time. 

We want to thank all our readers who wrote to us about their “Take Your Dog to Work Day” ™ experiences.  We were especially gratified to hear about the many, local business owners who permitted their employees to bring their dogs to work on June 23, the official “Take Your Dog to Work Day ” ™.  Everybody we spoke to had a great time and so did the dogs! 

 

Adria Henderson and Lisa Peterson are owner/operators of Safe At Home, LLC a Newtown-based pet sitting service.