Truckstop Survey Finds 50% of Professional Truck Drivers Travel with Their Pets for Emotional Support

BOISE, Idaho, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of National Take Your Pet to Work Week, Truckstop commissioned a survey of 500 U.S.-based owner-operator truck drivers and found that half of the respondents (50%) travel with their pets for emotional support.

As many customers are spending more time on the road away from home, these emotional support passengers provide comfort and help to reduce loneliness. Forty-six percent of those surveyed would consider a different occupation if they could not travel with their pet(s).

Truckstop asked some of their customers to share their personal stories about how they found their pet companion and the therapeutic benefits their pets provide:

Constance and Jim Ross' Giant Alaskan Malamute, Milo, became a military surrender after his owner was deployed overseas. Milo was transported from a rescue in Santa Barbara up to Oregon where Jim and Constance met him. He now rides in the hot shot with Jim.

"Milo's previous owner was in tears when he had to bring him to the rescue. It pulled at my heartstrings and now I know why – Milo is such a well-trained dog full of personality and he's just happy all the time," said Constance. "We rely on local shipments and all the workers we work with remember Milo. He comes on short loops because the heat right now is horrible but rides hot shot in the front seat. He's a great companion on the road."

Mike Broaddus and his Goldendoodle, Lucy, have been on the road for almost nine and a half years. The first day Mike brought her on the truck, Lucy learned how to use the mirrors to watch him work on the flatbed.

"I find that having a dog with me is welcome company. It gives us truck drivers someone to take care of and keep our minds out of our own heads. At night, Lucy lets me know if there may be anyone lurking around the truck, which is important. A dog is a deterrent for people that may have nefarious intentions," said Mike. "I believe all truck drivers should have a pet with them on the road. It's one of the main reasons I'm an owner-operator; I call the shots so I can choose to have my dog with me while I drive."

To see more customer stories and photos, please visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/truckstop.  For more information about how Truckstop is empowering the freight community, visit https://truckstop.com.

About Truckstop

Truckstop is a trusted partner for carriers, brokers, and shippers, empowering the freight community through a platform of innovative solutions for the entire freight lifecycle to increase efficiency, automate processes, and accelerate growth. As one of the industry's largest neutral freight marketplaces, Truckstop provides the customer service as well as scale of quality loads and trucks to give customers of all sizes, whether on the road or in the office, the transparency and freedom to build lasting relationships and grow their businesses. To learn how Truckstop is helping move the freight community forward, visit https://truckstop.com.

Methodology

Survey carried out, on behalf of Truckstop, by Censuswide. 500 U.S.-based owner-operator truck drivers surveyed between 03.07.2023 - 03.17.2023. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

SOURCE Truckstop Group LLC