Guess who’s Chief Happiness Officer at this Hyderabad startup? A golden retriever!

In a move that has tails wagging across social media, a Hyderabad-based startup has gone viral for its heartwarming decision to bring a furry friend on board—not just as a mascot, but with an official title. Harvesting Robotics, a company focused on sustainable farming technology, recently appointed a golden retriever named Denver as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO).

Rahul Arepaka, co-founder of the startup, introduced Denver to the world in a LinkedIn post that quickly captured attention—and affection.

“Meet our newest hire, Denver – Chief Happiness Officer,” the post read. “He doesn’t code. He doesn’t care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up. Also, we’re officially pet-friendly now. Best decision. BTW: He’s got the best perks in the company."
 

And the internet couldn’t agree more. The post garnered thousands of likes and a stream of delighted comments praising Denver's “paw-sitive” impact. From witty remarks like “4 paws, 0 stress & 100% tail-wagging positivity!” to calls for a global mandate on hiring CHOs, users were quick to champion the idea of four-legged morale-boosters in the workplace.

Arepaka told media outlets that inviting Denver into the office and making the workspace pet-friendly has been a game-changer. Harvesting Robotics, which develops laser-weeding technology to aid eco-friendly farming, now enjoys not just greener fields but also brighter moods.

"CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy," quipped one user, while another gushed, "I wouldn't have left my seat, wouldn't have let him leave mine for sure."

The move taps into a growing trend among companies looking to boost employee wellness by welcoming pets into the office. Giants like Amazon, Google and Zappos have long embraced pet-friendly policies, and with good reason. Studies suggest that having pets around reduces stress, encourages team bonding and even enhances productivity.

According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 87% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces are more likely to stick with their current employer, while 91% feel more connected to their work.

Denver may not debug software or join Zoom meetings, but his role is no less vital—he’s showing companies that happiness at work might just come with a wagging tail.

Guess who’s chief happiness officer at this Hyderabad startup? A golden retriever!

In a move that has tails wagging across social media, a Hyderabad-based startup has gone viral for its heartwarming decision to bring a furry friend on board—not just as a mascot, but with an official title. Harvesting Robotics, a company focused on sustainable farming technology, recently appointed a golden retriever named Denver as its Chief Happiness Officer (CHO).

Rahul Arepaka, co-founder of the startup, introduced Denver to the world in a LinkedIn post that quickly captured attention—and affection.

“Meet our newest hire, Denver – Chief Happiness Officer,” the post read. “He doesn’t code. He doesn’t care. He just shows up, steals hearts, and keeps the energy up. Also, we’re officially pet-friendly now. Best decision. BTW: He’s got the best perks in the company."

And the internet couldn’t agree more. The post garnered thousands of likes and a stream of delighted comments praising Denver's “paw-sitive” impact. From witty remarks like “4 paws, 0 stress & 100% tail-wagging positivity!” to calls for a global mandate on hiring CHOs, users were quick to champion the idea of four-legged morale-boosters in the workplace.

Arepaka told media outlets that inviting Denver into the office and making the workspace pet-friendly has been a game-changer. Harvesting Robotics, which develops laser-weeding technology to aid eco-friendly farming, now enjoys not just greener fields but also brighter moods.

"CHO seems exhausted with the responsibility of making everyone happy," quipped one user, while another gushed, "I wouldn't have left my seat, wouldn't have let him leave mine for sure."

The move taps into a growing trend among companies looking to boost employee wellness by welcoming pets into the office. Giants like Amazon, Google and Zappos have long embraced pet-friendly policies, and with good reason. Studies suggest that having pets around reduces stress, encourages team bonding and even enhances productivity.

According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), 87% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces are more likely to stick with their current employer, while 91% feel more connected to their work.

Denver may not debug software or join Zoom meetings, but his role is no less vital—he’s showing companies that happiness at work might just come with a wagging tail.