In the office on any given day, a wagging tail might appear in a doorway, a puppy might make the rounds for attention, or coworkers might pause from their busy schedules to watch two dogs play in the hallway. For a law firm focused on personal injury cases, where emotions can run high and stress is part of the job, those moments matter.
"We've had dogs in the office pretty much since I started the office in 2019," said managing partner, attorney at law, Mark Sweet. "It's about how I can create an office environment that's as supportive as possible and that people want to come to."
Sweet says the dogs have become a natural extension of the firm's culture. While employees use their discretion when deciding whether their dog is suited for the workplace, there is almost always at least one canine companion in the office.
"It's almost a fringe benefit because people like being around their pets," he said. "You have a stressful day, you have a stressful call. Something happened, whatever. Just being able to pet a dog helps you relax a little."
The canine crew we met included Niko, Sweet’s new puppy; Teddy, a lovable doodle known for his collection of scarves; Maddie, a rescued mixed breed with a strong will; Hazy, an energetic Australian shepherd; and Kimber, a curly-coated retriever puppy full of boundless enthusiasm.
Niko moves through the office with quiet curiosity and a watchful charm. If he were an attorney, he’d be the one quietly observing everything before making a decisive move—measured, thoughtful, and always one step ahead.
Teddy makes the rounds collecting cuddles from anyone willing to give them. He’d be the “office greeter”—the kind who builds trust instantly and wins people over with kindness.
Maddie is independent and selective with her affection but also deeply loyal to her people. As an attorney, she’d likely be a sharp litigator—strong-willed, vocal when needed, and unwilling to back down once committed.
Hazy is endlessly curious, always alert to what’s happening around her. She’d be the investigator type—the attorney who notices everything in the room, even the details others miss. “She reminds me of those videos of her breed herding sheep. She stops, then moves around. She’s so aware of her surroundings,” said America Rodriguez, executive assistant, noting Hazy’s instincts.
Kimber, still very much a puppy, brings a whirlwind of energy wherever she goes. She’d be a litigator in motion—driven, spirited, occasionally chaotic, but full of determination.
Together, they create an atmosphere that feels more like a community than a workplace.
"I think it's great because you can see people smile when they see dogs," said Thelma Gutierrez, who often brings Teddy to work. "They smile. They feel good. They stop by. They pet him, and how could you not feel happy when you see a pet?"
For Samantha Leong, who rescued Maddie as a puppy, the dogs create natural opportunities for employees to step away from their screens and connect. "It definitely forces us to take a break from the screens, engage with each other, and have that connection."
The dogs also help their owners maintain healthier routines. Thelma says Teddy reminds her to get up and move throughout the day. Samantha says Maddie encourages her to drink more water. Diego Gomez, Hazy's owner, says his dog reminds him to step outside and enjoy a few minutes away from his phone.
"Just even ten minutes outside to get some fresh air," he said. "It's sort of a rewind, and set the pace back a step or two and hang out with her."
For attorney Tyler Toomey, bringing Kimber to work makes it possible to care for a growing puppy while helping her become comfortable around new people and situations. After losing his previous dog, Dakota, who had spent years by his side at the office, having another companion there has brought a sense of comfort back to his workday.
"When she's good, and she's behaving like an older dog would, it's great," he said. "I just had to talk to a client who yelled at me, and three adjusters who won't give me what I want. And then you're like, 'Okay, this is a little bit better. I have a friend in here with me.'"
The dogs provide comic relief, companionship, and countless reasons to smile. But perhaps their greatest contribution is something less tangible. In a profession built around helping injured people rebuild their lives, the dogs serve as a daily reminder that compassion matters.
"Dogs are purely emotional creatures," Sweet explained. "I think the dog helps bring you back to reality and ground you."
Then he shares a thought that seems to capture the heart of the firm's dog-friendly culture.
"The dogs remind you to be human."
"It's about how I can create an office environment that's as supportive as possible and that people want to come to." — Mark Sweet