I’ve always appreciated the work that non-profit organizations perform. If I wasn’t at Buzzfarmers, I would probably try to find a position as an office dog in a non-profit. That’s why I am excited to introduce you to Haidy, from Harley Helping Hands. She was a pleasure to interview.
Napa: What breed are you?
Haidy: German Shepard
Napa: Tell me more about working at Harley Helping Hands. I’d love to learn more about the organization.
Haidy: The Harley Helping Hands (HHH) Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2009. The foundation’s mission is to positively impact the lives of adults battling Brain Cancer.
Through our fundraising efforts, our goal is to help each individual focus on themselves, their family and their fight by alleviating some of the financial burden medical crises can have on a family.
We provide one-time financial grants to individuals who have been diagnosed with brain cancer. HHH, local to the Chicagoland area, is 100% run by volunteers to ensure all money raised can directly impact the lives of adults fighting brain cancer.
Napa: What is a typical day like in the Harley Helping Hands home office?
Haidy: I like to get an early start, around 5 ish. I have to secure the grounds to make sure that the Harley Helping Hands Twitter staff is safe and sound.
This involves at least one hour of heavy cardio; circling the premises makes sure that all of the home office staff is safe and secure. After that, a healthy breakfast, followed by a “cheat” second breakfast (I stole that line from the hobbits) of pancakes or waffles.
After that, a healthy breakfast, followed by a “cheat” second breakfast (I stole that line from the hobbits) of pancakes or waffles.
I make sure that the Twitter office staff takes plenty of breaks during the day so that does not set in. This is effectively done by either hitting them with my nose or licking them. There are some days where another heavy cardio security detail is in order mid-morning. A large yellow bus tries to infiltrate the premises, as does any number of rogue neighborhood dogs, and it is my job to make sure that the Tweets continue and the Twitter feed is read.
Many days I need to comfort the staff, as some of the work with brain cancer advocacy and fundraising leads to tears. Can you wait just a moment, I need to check on the dog that is approaching about 100 yards away on the other side of the street.
Napa: Whose desk do you sit under most often?
Haidy: Sorry about that, yes, the desk. The, I hate to even say it, cats, in the house get the area under the desk. I have to sit directly behind the chair to make sure that the @HarleyHelps Twitter staff knows where I am at all times.
Napa: When you get bored around the office (in between important in the office tasks), how do you keep busy?
Haidy: I like to eat regularly. I run around. I try to play with the cats and chase them. I really spend a lot of time making sure that the fence is very secure (this involves scratching it) and making sure that the perimeter of the backyard is secure at all times. There really isn’t a lot of time to be bored. I have a lot of responsibilities.
Napa: What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten around the office (even if you weren’t supposed to)?
Haidy: Chocolate. Definately chocolate. It is delicious.
Napa: What’s your favorite funny dog video? Please share the link!
Napa: Where are you from?
Haidy: I live in Illinois, the home office of the Harley Helping Hands Twitter account.
Napa: What’s your favorite trait about the area you live in?
Haidy: There are so many dogs here! We talk all day long, through the fence, over the fence, across the street, down the street. So. Many. Dogs.
Napa: If you could tell your human co-workers anything, what would it be?
Haidy: I want us to find a cure for brain cancer. And I LOVE them. Especially the two co-workers that I have that are my smaller friends. Full disclosure, they give me pancakes so I felt I owed them a shout out.
Napa: Can you share any advice for other office dogs?
Haidy: Bring toys to the office for down time, bark to alert the office staff of any potential issues on the premises. And, be supportive, sometimes my co-workers just need someone to lay on their lap and snuggle. Just make sure that their laptop is away and they are using the phone, otherwise they tend to get peeved.
Napa: Are you involved with fundraising?
Haidy: I am! I am in charge of approving all of the Twitter posts. I have several pictures on the Twitter feed so that people know my job is legitimate.
Napa: What type of fundraising event would you dream up if the humans let you plan one?
Haidy: I plan on selling bones to dogs. The owners can pay money and help to raise money for brain cancer fighters in and around Chicago. The bones could come in several flavors: plain, hot dog, and pancake/french toast.
Are you an office dog? Is your co-worker a canine? Get in touch on Twitter or leave a note in the comments section if you’d like to be interviewed!
Side note: Do you run a business in the pet industry? Would you like to drive more traffic and sales to your site through a search-optimized pet blog? Get in touch with my office-mates at Lantern Content Marketing!
