Meet the Pets Who Make BARR a Great Place to Work

In honor of National Love Your Pet Day, we’re pulling back the curtain (and maybe a few webcam filters) to introduce you to some very important members of the BARR family—our pets!

Because BARR is a fully remote company, our coworkers come in all shapes, sizes, and species. From loyal dogs curled up beside desks to curious cats confidently walking across keyboards mid-meeting, our team shares their workspace with some pretty adorable companions. In fact, we have over 25 pets in the extended BARR family. 🐶🐱

Now be honest—who wouldn’t want coworkers like that?

Why Office Pets (Even Virtual Ones) Matter

Working remotely doesn’t mean working alone. Studies show that dogs can positively impact both mental and physical health, helping reduce stress, ease tension during busy moments, and even motivate us to get outside and move more. A quick walk between meetings? Instant reset.

And it’s not just dogs. Cats, often labeled as independent, frequently make guest appearances during video calls and company chat threads. Whether it’s a tail swishing across the screen or a perfectly timed meow, these moments remind us that work and life can happily coexist.

The Real MVPs of Remote Work

For Michelle Rawlings, senior associate, strategic communications, working remotely means her pup Dakota is always by her side: “Working from home means Dakota never gets lonely—he attends all of my virtual meetings, sitting quietly behind me on the couch in my office. When I’m feeling overwhelmed or just need a break from screentime, I love to go out to the backyard and throw the Frisbee for him. I feel so lucky to work for a fully remote company that allows me to work where I’m most productive—which usually is right beside Dakota.”

That’s the beauty of remote work—flexibility, balance, and a built-in stress reliever just a few steps away. Studies show pets can reduce tension, encourage movement, and improve overall well-being. At BARR, we see that impact every day.

Jessica Van Dunk, reports specialist, says, “Reggie and Lola, these two are great co-workers because they love to gently ‘remind’ me to take short breaks throughout the day…to give them attention.”

And honestly, who couldn’t use a little extra sanity during a busy workweek?

Titles We Didn’t Know We Needed

Vice President of Brand, Marketing, and Strategic Communications Michelle Caron’s household includes a high-ranking executive: “Oliver, VP of Toy-basket Toppling. If you’re on a call with me, there’s a 90% chance he’s napping on my lap.”

 Now that’s leadership energy.

And then there’s Attest Services Manager Brianna Plush’s Slack situation: “90% of the time Pat is sending nonsensical notes to the entire company in public Slack channels, the other 10% of the time he’s scheming ways to distract me so he can get back to sending you guys notes in public Slack channels.” 

We can neither confirm nor deny the productivity impact but we can confirm the entertainment value.

Interative Moment

What’s your pet’s “work personality”?

The Supervisor (watches everything you do)

The IT Specialist (steps on your keyboard)

The Motivator (forces you to take walk breaks)

The Silent Observer (naps nearby but knows all the tea)

A Workplace That’s Evolved—With Pets Included

As our workplace has evolved into a fully remote environment, our pets have evolved with us. While we may not gather in a traditional office every day, our furry teammates still “meet” their favorite colleagues through video calls and company chat groups.

And let’s be honest, sometimes they steal the show.

Want to Join the BARR Family?

If you love the idea of working in a flexible, fully remote environment where pets are welcome in meetings (and maybe even encouraged), we’d love to meet you.

Visit our Careers page to explore current openings and see how you can become part of the BARR team—paws and all. 🐾