Dr. Pamela Reid is vice president of the ASPCA Behavioral Sciences Team. Reid urged pet owners to begin preparing their pets right now for their eventual return to the office. It definitely will pose a challenge for animals. some more than others. And it s hard to know in advance. But the best thing that people can do to try to prevent problems from developing is to get the animal gradually accustomed to your absence before you actually do have to go back to work, she said. Hopefully people will have enough advance notice that they can start to take action before it s time to return.