Meet Tupac, or as he's otherwise known, Danger. Don't let his gangsta rap name or big-guy proportions scare you off; Tupac is a total softie who loves the beach, virtually all ball sports, and exchanging a fist pump with his bro Matty. He's always chilled at work, even if he's known for sneaking in a snooze under his desk.

Matty Bouris and his dog, Tupac, at the General Pants HQ. Credit:Joshua Morris

Tupac – full name Tupac Danger Mouse – is an eight-year-old cane corso, one of at least half-a-dozen dogs who go to work with their guardians (don't call them owners) every Friday at General Pants headquarters in Sydney's Alexandria. It's among a growing number of companies in Australia (think Google, Amazon, Pet Barn and the Cotton On Group) rolling out the welcome mat for dogs at least one day a week. "Tupac just loves coming in to work," enthuses his guardian, 34-year-old Matty Bouris, a menswear designer with General Pants.

We've all heard of the research that shows dogs can be your heart's best friend, reducing blood pressure and triglycerides, but there's mounting evidence they're also effective at improving workplace morale; a recent Central Michigan University study found that dogs promoted team co-operation and cohesion.

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"The biggest benefit of adopting this policy has been its effect on strengthening relationships throughout the office," notes Sara Bray, head of events at General Pants. "It has encouraged people to engage with one another more."

Tahlia Antico, head of social at General Pants, who has been diagnosed with anxiety, says her six-month-old pug, Fergus, helps her relax at work. "He's cool, but a bit of a ladies' man," she jokes.

At the sprawling Cotton On headquarters in Geelong, dogs are a regular part of the office-scape. "There are squeals when a new dog comes in and people crowd around," says Eliza Viola, an executive assistant who regularly brings her French bulldog, Archie, into work. "It's such a buzz."