6 Ways Restaurants & Hotels Can Show "Paw-spitality"

Is your business facing the dog days of summer? With more and more travelers packing their pooch, restaurants and hotels are finding ways to welcome every member of the family with a safety-first mindset while also prioritizing the highest level of hospitality. Here are a few tips for business owners to show proper "petiquette." 
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1. Make Sure Your Business is Compliant with Michigan Food Codes. Pets are a wonderful addition to vacations, but not to food preparation.  According to the Michigan Food Code, animals that are not service animals, are barred from the premises of a foodservice establishment, meaning that restaurants are not allowed to permit dogs indoors, and it's vital for restaurants and other businesses to ensure compliance with state and local food codes. For more information, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has created this poster as a resource to explain the food code when it comes to animals - and you can post it in your establishment to help communicate pet policies with your guests.

2. Service Animals Are a Vital Part of the Hospitality Experience. Michigan’s food code allows clear exceptions for service animals, and Michigan's hotels and restaurants are happy to provide full hospitality experiences to every guest who walks through the door. Service animals are animals, usually dogs, that are trained to support someone who has a disability like blindness, hearing loss, epilepsy, or other conditions. Food establishments must allow service animals on premises. However, service animals must be on a leash or harness if possible, controlled by their handler, and housebroken. To learn more about greeting service animals, click here.  If you have any other questions about how to create incredible experiences for your guests, visit the MRLA Legal Center for guidance on ADA compliance and more. ​

3. Communication is Key. Each hospitality business can set their own policies around pets. If you are a dog-friendly business, say so! If you have policies or boundaries in place to keep your business and employees safe, make sure those are communicated firmly as well. Being transparent, upfront, and clear about pet policies is an integral part of showing every guest “paws-pitality.”  
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4. If Your Business Can’t Welcome Pets, Connect Guests with Other Resources. If your business doesn’t have the space to accommodate furry friends, directing your guests to nearby dog parks or dog-friendly public places can still demonstrate hospitality. Make sure your front desk staff can tell guests where to take their pets as well as other amenities in the area!  
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5. While Dogs are Not Allowed on Patios, Take-Out Options are More Popular Than Ever. Currently, Michigan health codes dictate that dogs avoid outdoor seating areas, including patios, outdoor breweries, and other common gathering spaces in foodservice establishments. Thanks to advocacy work by the MRLA, cocktails-to-go and social zones have been approved as easy, enjoyable ways to experience Michigan hospitality without having to sit down and sip. Brush up your cocktails-to-go menu and have it on-hand for dog owners!  
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6. Special Pet Packages Can Deliver an Extra Layer of Hospitality. In an article published in The MRLA Magazine, many hotels described positive results from offering dog-friendly accommodations and experiences. Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island curated the “Pooch at the Point” package, which kicked off with a complimentary goodie bag at check-in, featured in-room dog beds, customized dog tags, and other fun-themed amenities. Other hotels, like the Element Hotel in Detroit, partnered with dog-friendly restaurants to offer even more experiences to Fido and Family.  
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Do you have further questions about food safety guidelines, Michigan regulations, and other resources? Michigan Food Safety is an essential source for all information related to Michigan food safety, from best practices to local regulations, and the website is continually updated with the latest on consumer and commercial food safety knowledge.  Learn more at michiganfoodsafety.com.