Hyderabad’s furry hire makes CEOs rethink workplace wellness

At a time when workplace stress is peaking and wellness programmes often feel like checkbox rituals, Hyderabad-based startup Harvested Robotics has made a bold, feel-good move: They’ve appointed Denver, a golden retriever, as their Chief Happiness Officer (CHO).We’re finally seeing employee happiness being treated as more than just a perk. It’s a metric. A culture call. They’re not here to ‘cope’ at work but to live better– Divya Jain, Founder Safeducate

Denver might just be the softest disruptor we’ve seen in startup culture yet… Culture isn’t just built in all-hands or OKRs — it’s in those small moments where people feel safe, seen, and light again–Vidit Jain, Founder Toyo Kombucha

This isn’t just a quirky stunt. It’s a powerful message that happiness is core to strategy—not just posters and policies–Ramesh Ranjan, Co-Founder & CEO Communios.ai

But Denver isn’t just a mascot with a fancy title. He greets employees at the door, sits beside those buried under deadlines, and quietly lifts spirits — simply by being there. “He doesn’t code. He doesn’t care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up,” posted CEO Rahul Arepaka on LinkedIn, announcing that the company is now officially pet-friendly. “Best decision,” Rahul added — and yes, Denver has the best perks in the building.

The ‘pawsitive’ hire has sparked lively conversations among founders and CEOs about what truly drives wellness and belonging at work. Sometimes, it turns out, the best culture moves come on four legs.

Famous tails at the workplace

Larry, the Chief Mouser

Larry the cat has held the official title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office in the United Kingdom since 2011. Over the years, he has become something of a celebrity and is perhaps one of the best-known examples of a non-human officeholder.

Gogi, The Golden Retriever

Meet Gogi, the golden retriever spreading joy at a Bengaluru AI startup! Officially the Chief Happiness Officer, he’s making the tech space more fun and friendly.

Poshie, Shih Tzu

Poshie has been hired as the Chief Happiness Officer by a Delhi-based clothing startup. He’s on a mission to bring fun, positivity, and wagging tails

Leo the Rottweiler

Leo joined a Delhi-based company as Chief Happiness Officer in 2021, spreading pawsitivity and brightening the office atmosphere every day.

Joy is the new productivity hack

There’s science behind why dogs make workplaces better. Studies show petting a dog lowers cortisol and boosts oxytocin. Dogs naturally break the ice, create connection, and encourage people to take mindful pauses — something most employees need but rarely do.

How dogs improve well-being

Recent studies in animal-assisted therapy and workplace wellness provide compelling evidence for the benefits of having dogs around in professional settings. Key findings include:

Stress reduction:

Petting a dog lowers stress hormone (cortisol) and boosts feel-good hormone (oxytocin).

Emotional support:

Dogs offer unconditional, non-judgmental love. Social interaction: Dogs encourage conversations and connections.

Mindfulness:

Caring for a dog helps you slow down and stay present.

Mood booster:

Their playful nature lifts your spirits instantly.

- Divyashree