Furry friends bring smiles to Ottawa City Hall on ‘Blue Monday’

CTV’s Kimberley Johnson visits Ottawa City Hall, where dogs and cats are cheering people up on ‘Blue Monday.’

Some comforting pups paid a visit to Ottawa City Hall on this “Blue Monday.”

A business called “Corporate Canine Therapy” was brought in on what’s been dubbed ‘the saddest day of the year’ – with four dogs and one cat paying a visit to city hall employees and visitors.

Those like Mariana Sabo were enjoying the service. Sabo tells CTV News Ottawa she was having a tough day. The Algonquin College student is working with dementia patients for the first time, and was finding it emotionally difficult.

“I was going to cry,” she said. “I was looking for a place to cry, but now…”

After a stop at City Hall and an encounter with furry visitor Luna, it was turned around.

“It was nice to see the dogs, because the pain that I had - it’s gone now,” she said.

The four-year-old collie is one of the therapy pets brought in. The company says it aims to bring well-being and reduce stress in the workplace.

“This is the best day of work ever,” said city hall employee Charlotte Scott-Frater.

The company is new to Ottawa, having started in Toronto.

Luna’s handler Claire Laroche says the connections she witnesses can be powerful.

“It’s just the bonding,” she said. “And for me, watching it and walking away and having the memories, you know, warm in my heart for a long time.”

Bonding with a pet is potentially helpful any day, but on an icy cold version of the day dubbed “Blue Monday”, just about everyone could use a boost.

Councillors like Ariel Troster took time out to pet the animals. She says she enjoys having them in the rotunda.

“It’s like the best day ever at City Hall,” she says. “Having animals to help calm us down and to be therapeutic is so great.”

While Blue Monday originally started as a marketing campaign, the combination of cold weather and holiday bills has helped this day hold onto its title.

Corporate Canine Therapy founder Rodney Kaufman says they are hired by businesses and this is one of their busiest days.

“Corporations like to (use the service) as a way to give back in a way of wellness,” he explains. “Being utilized to show that they care about their (employees') mental health.”