B. Discussion of the Issue and Problem
What specific problems or concerns are involved in this issue?
The banning of dogs in the backstretch has negatively impacted many of our backstretch workers from a lifestyle, economic, quality of life and most importantly mental health perspective.
Mental health and substance abuse issues are all too common with backstretch workers. HRA abruptly changed their stance on policing the presence of dogs in the backstretch as a result of one isolated incident.
Modern lifestyles have increasingly recognized the role pets play in enhancing mental health. For backstretch workers, who face high-pressure environments with demanding, physically and mentally exhausting schedules, having a dog provides emotional support.
• Numerous studies show that interacting with pets can lower stress, anxiety, and depression, while boosting overall well-being. Dogs offer companionship and help reduce feelings of isolation, which is particularly important given the early morning hours and extended shifts of backstretch workers
• Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that spending time with pets, particularly dogs, can significantly reduce anxiety and stress.
• A study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that pet ownership was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, loneliness, and anxiety, underscoring the importance of pets as emotional support for those in stressful environments.
The recruitment of grooms and workers is already strained given the long hours and low wages. Limiting the ability to bring pets when they are often away from home for an extended period makes it even more challenging. Hiring dog walkers of relying on dog day care is cost prohibitive for most
Who does the issue affect?
The issue affects backstretch workers.
What existing HRA rules relate to this issue?
HRA currently does not allow dogs in the backstretch.
C. Possible Solutions and Impact
What solution does this proposal provide?
Allow Backstretch Workers to Bring Dogs to Work at Horse Racing Tracks with accompanied rules to ensure safety.
By incorporating pets into the backstretch environment along with safety rules, employers can offer mental health benefits, promote work-life balance, and boost team morale, all while ensuring the safety of the animals and workers through proper guidelines.
Mental Health Benefits:
• Modern lifestyles have increasingly recognized the role pets play in enhancing mental health. For backstretch workers, who face high-pressure environments with demanding, physically and mentally exhausting schedules, having a dog provides emotional support.
• Numerous studies show that interacting with pets can lower stress, anxiety, and depression, while boosting overall well-being. Dogs offer companionship and help reduce feelings of isolation, which is particularly important given the early morning hours and extended shifts of backstretch workers
• Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that spending time with pets, particularly dogs, can significantly reduce anxiety and stress.
• A study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that pet ownership was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, loneliness, and anxiety, underscoring the importance of pets as emotional support for those in stressful environments.
Support for Work-Life Balance:
• Bringing pets to work is becoming more common across industries, acknowledging the evolving expectations for work-life balance. Many backstretch workers live on-site or spend long hours at the racetrack, making it difficult for them to care for pets at home. Allowing dogs on-site helps them manage personal responsibilities while maintaining productivity, promoting a healthier balance between personal and professional life.
• Pet-friendly workplaces have been shown to increase employee satisfaction and reduce absenteeism. A study from The International Journal of Workplace Health Management reported that employees who brought their dogs to work experienced lower levels of stress throughout the day compared to those who didnât.
• Given that backstretch workers often live near or on the grounds and have long shifts, allowing pets can help manage personal responsibilities, improving overall work-life balance. This is consistent with findings from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which states that pet ownership can contribute to healthier lifestyles.
Improved Team Morale and Social Support:
• Dogs can act as social catalysts, fostering interactions and improving the social environment. A study from Anthrozoös found that pets in the workplace can help facilitate social bonding among employees, improving workplace communication and collaboration.
• This social cohesion is particularly beneficial in high-pressure environments like the backstretch, where workers often operate in isolated or small teams. Social interaction mediated by pets can enhance team spirit and reduce feelings of isolation
Promoting Emotional Resilience:
• The high-stress nature of backstretch work, particularly in caring for racehorses, can take a toll on the emotional and psychological health of workers. Having a pet nearby provides moments of relief, allowing workers to reset emotionally throughout the day. This, in turn, can improve focus and patience when dealing with horses, making it a win-win for both workers and animals.
• The presence of dogs has been linked to enhanced emotional resilience, making workers more capable of handling stress. A study published in Stress & Health highlighted that pet interaction leads to lower levels of perceived stress and faster emotional recovery after difficult tasks.
Backstretch workers, often under high-stress conditions, can benefit from these moments of respite, making them more effective in their work.
Safety Guidelines for Bringing Dogs to the Track: To ensure the safety of horses and workers, the following guidelines could be implemented:
• Leashing and Control: As outlined in research on workplace pet policies, requiring dogs to be leashed prevents accidents and minimizes the potential for disruptive behavior. Studies show that controlled environments help maintain safety while allowing pets on-site. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times while on the premises to prevent any unsupervised interactions with horses or disruptions to ongoing work.
• Designated Areas: Establish specific areas where dogs are allowed, keeping them away from high-traffic zones such as the race paddock and high-traffic track areas to minimize the risk of spooking horses.
• Relocation: Require that owners relocate dogs at the commissionâs request. For example during a barn search.
• Behavioral and Health Screening:
o Only well-behaved and socialized dogs that respond to commands should be allowed. Owners would need to verify that their dog is comfortable around large animals and unfamiliar environments.
o Require that dogs be fully vaccinated and in good health, with regular veterinary checks to ensure they do not pose any health risks to other animals or workers
By allowing backstretch workers to bring dogs to work, racetracks would support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle while boosting morale. With proper guidelines in place, such policies would ensure safety and maintain the focus on equine care.
How will the solution fix the problem?
The solution provides backstretch workers with the flexibility to bring their dogs to work, provided they adhere to a clear set of rules and guidelines.
How will the change affect any entities or stakeholders?
The effect on other stakeholder is minimal.
How will you or your organization be affected by the proposed change?
What are the benefits of the proposed change?
Mental Health Benefits:
• Modern lifestyles have increasingly recognized the role pets play in enhancing mental health. For backstretch workers, who face high-pressure environments with demanding, physically and mentally exhausting schedules, having a dog provides emotional support.
• Numerous studies show that interacting with pets can lower stress, anxiety, and depression, while boosting overall well-being. Dogs offer companionship and help reduce feelings of isolation, which is particularly important given the early morning hours and extended shifts of backstretch workers
• Research from the American Psychological Association suggests that spending time with pets, particularly dogs, can significantly reduce anxiety and stress.
• A study published in Frontiers in Psychology showed that pet ownership was associated with reduced symptoms of depression, loneliness, and anxiety, underscoring the importance of pets as emotional support for those in stressful environments.
Support for Work-Life Balance:
• Bringing pets to work is becoming more common across industries, acknowledging the evolving expectations for work-life balance. Many backstretch workers live on-site or spend long hours at the racetrack, making it difficult for them to care for pets at home. Allowing dogs on-site helps them manage personal responsibilities while maintaining productivity, promoting a healthier balance between personal and professional life.
• Pet-friendly workplaces have been shown to increase employee satisfaction and reduce absenteeism. A study from The International Journal of Workplace Health Management reported that employees who brought their dogs to work experienced lower levels of stress throughout the day compared to those who didnât.
• Given that backstretch workers often live near or on the grounds and have long shifts, allowing pets can help manage personal responsibilities, improving overall work-life balance. This is consistent with findings from organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which states that pet ownership can contribute to healthier lifestyles.
Improved Team Morale and Social Support:
• Dogs can act as social catalysts, fostering interactions and improving the social environment. A study from Anthrozoös found that pets in the workplace can help facilitate social bonding among employees, improving workplace communication and collaboration.
• This social cohesion is particularly beneficial in high-pressure environments like the backstretch, where workers often operate in isolated or small teams. Social interaction mediated by pets can enhance team spirit and reduce feelings of isolation
Promoting Emotional Resilience:
• The high-stress nature of backstretch work, particularly in caring for racehorses, can take a toll on the emotional and psychological health of workers. Having a pet nearby provides moments of relief, allowing workers to reset emotionally throughout the day. This, in turn, can improve focus and patience when dealing with horses, making it a win-win for both workers and animals.
• The presence of dogs has been linked to enhanced emotional resilience, making workers more capable of handling stress. A study published in Stress & Health highlighted that pet interaction leads to lower levels of perceived stress and faster emotional recovery after difficult tasks. Backstretch workers, often under high-stress conditions, can benefit from these moments of respite, making them more effective in their work.
By allowing backstretch workers to bring dogs to work, racetracks would support a healthier, more balanced lifestyle while boosting morale. With proper guidelines in place, such policies would ensure safety and maintain the focus on equine care.
What are the possible drawbacks of the proposed change?
Potential inconsistent adherence to the safety guidelines.
D. Please identify any affected stakeholder groups that expressed support or opposition.
(These stakeholders may include the racetracks, breed registries, owners, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, or others.)
For those stakeholder groups that have expressed an opinion, please list the points on which they agree or disagree, and the arguments they have expressed.
The majority of ASHA backstretch workers support the change.
Are there any affected stakeholder groups that have not been consulted on this proposal?
No
Please attach any formal letters of support or opposition by stakeholder groups. Files must be .pdf, .doc, .docx, or .txt format and under 3072k for the system to accept the submission. You can add a maximum of 3 attachments.
E. Attach the rule language you are proposing. Please show new language in a new paragraph below the current wording. If you are proposing that current rule language be eliminated, please indicate the text to be deleted with [delete: sample deleted copy]
Dogs are allowed in the backstretch provided safety guidelines are adhered to.
Safety Guidelines for Bringing Dogs to the Track: To ensure the safety of horses and workers, the following guidelines could be implemented:
• Leashing and Control: As outlined in research on workplace pet policies, requiring dogs to be leashed prevents accidents and minimizes the potential for disruptive behavior. Studies show that controlled environments help maintain safety while allowing pets on-site. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times while on the premises to prevent any unsupervised interactions with horses or disruptions to ongoing work.
• Designated Areas: Establish specific areas where dogs are allowed, keeping them away from high-traffic zones such as the race paddock and high-traffic track areas to minimize the risk of spooking horses.
• Relocation: Require that owners relocate dogs at the commissionâs request. For example during a barn search.
• Behavioral and Health Screening:
o Only well-behaved and socialized dogs that respond to commands should be allowed. Owners would need to verify that their dog is comfortable around large animals and unfamiliar environments.
o Require that dogs be fully vaccinated and in good health, with regular veterinary checks to ensure they do not pose any health risks to other animals or workers
F. Do any racing jurisdictions currently have a version of this rule in effect? If yes, please attach copies of those rules.
G. Review the Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta and identify any other Rules this change would affect and submit proposed amendments to those rules to comply with changes that would be made by this proposal.
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