NATIONAL TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY 2025

National Take Your Dog to Work Day 2025

Take Your Dog to the Dock: Making Marinas More Pet-Friendly This Summer

National Take Your Dog to Work Day, celebrated this year on Friday, June 21, 2025, is a lighthearted observance that has gained popularity across offices, remote teams, and small businesses. For marina operators, it presents a creative opportunity to connect with customers, enhance the guest experience, and highlight the growing role pets play in modern boating life.

Dogs have become an integral part of many boaters’ families. From dockside strolls to weekend cruises, pets are increasingly part of the marina experience. Acknowledging this trend and celebrating it can strengthen customer relationships, build community engagement, and even differentiate your facility from nearby competitors.

A Growing Trend on the Water

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 66% of U.S. households now own a pet, with dogs being the most common. Meanwhile, the 2023 Special Report on Fishing and Boating from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) notes that families—especially younger ones—are fueling a steady rise in recreational boating participation.

As those two trends converge, marinas are seeing more visitors arrive with four-legged companions. Some dogs have custom life jackets. Others know how to climb on and off pontoons or ride the bow of a center console with ease. Yet many facilities still lack the infrastructure, signage, or policies to accommodate pets safely and effectively.

Recognizing National Take Your Dog to Work Day at the marina not only brings attention to a feel-good theme—it’s a chance to showcase how well your facility supports dog-friendly boating.

Ways to Participate and Engage

A celebration doesn’t need to be large or expensive to be effective. Even small gestures—especially those that involve customers’ pets—tend to generate strong engagement, both in person and online.

Host a Pet-Friendly Dock Day

Encourage boaters to bring their dogs down to the marina. Offer water bowls at check-in, a few shaded areas, and waste bags in visible locations. Consider giving out small branded items like dog treats, bandanas, or floating toys as giveaways.

Some marinas coordinate with local pet boutiques or dog groomers for pop-up booths. These partners might offer dog-safe sunscreen, custom leashes, or quick grooming demos that add value for attendees.

Organize a Pet Photo Contest

Create a low-pressure contest for “best boat dog” with categories like best-dressed, best boat pose, or most water-loving. Accept submissions via social media or in person. Promote the winners through your channels and offer small prizes such as marina merchandise or store gift cards.

Use hashtags like #TakeYourDogToWorkDay and #BoatingWithDogs to increase reach.

Share Safety Tips for Boating With Dogs

Not all pet owners know what to bring when taking their dog on the water. Create a simple checklist or share online resources to help them prepare. Useful tips include:

Always use a well-fitting dog life jacket (with a handle)
Provide non-slip surfaces on the boat deck
Bring plenty of fresh water and a portable bowl
Watch for signs of overheating and limit exposure during peak sun hours

You can reference guides like this one from the ASPCA or Take Me Fishing, which offer practical advice for boaters with dogs.

Becoming a Dog-Friendly Marina

Celebrating the day is just one piece of the puzzle. Marinas that actively accommodate pet owners throughout the season often see stronger word-of-mouth marketing, increased dwell time at their facilities, and higher satisfaction from family boaters.

Here are some operational tips to consider:

Designate pet relief areas with signage and waste stations
Add non-slip ramps for easy dock-to-boat boarding
Install rinse-off showers for dogs near the fuel dock or boat wash area
Train staff to engage positively with boaters who bring pets

Facilities that truly welcome pets stand out from the crowd—some even get featured by platforms like Dockwa’s “Dogs on Deck” series, which highlights top-rated dog-friendly marinas according to boater reviews.

Involving Staff and Slipholders

If your marina has a full-time team on site, allow staff to bring their own dogs on the observance day (if safe and appropriate). Post a photo board in the office or lounge area with everyone’s boat dogs or favorite marina pets.

You can also ask slipholders to submit their favorite dog-on-dock stories for a newsletter feature. Content like this not only entertains, but helps personalize your marina’s atmosphere and build a sense of community.

Keeping Safety in Mind

Of course, not every pet or facility is equipped for a fully open “dogs everywhere” policy. It’s important to communicate clear expectations and boundaries:

Require dogs to be leashed at all times on docks and common areas
Monitor interaction between unfamiliar animals
Have a cleanup protocol if accidents happen in public spaces
Offer pet waste bags at multiple stations with clear signage

Post these guidelines in your marina office, on your website, and on social media leading up to the event. It’s better to over-communicate expectations than to manage misunderstandings later.

For more guidance on responsible pet policies in public spaces, refer to the American Kennel Club’s community dog etiquette or the Marina Dock Age article on pet-friendly facility tips.

A Simple Way to Build Lasting Loyalty

Marinas that find creative, authentic ways to engage boaters tend to see better retention and higher customer satisfaction. Including pets in that strategy helps your facility connect with modern boating families on a more personal level.

Celebrating National Take Your Dog to Work Day is a lighthearted event—but it’s also a window into how welcoming your marina feels. When customers see that you care about the full experience, pets included, they’re more likely to return, refer, and remember you.

About MariCorp

Maricorp is one of the largest floating boat dock manufacturing and construction companies in the United States, specializing in galvanized steel floating docks and boat lift systems. With projects spanning coast-to-coast, Maricorp provides marina consultation and design, marine construction, marina repair and renovation, and boat dock disaster response and demolition.