If your job feels a bit dull, what would you do to make it exciting?
For Jason Hardesty, a UPS delivery driver, the answer is simple: dogs. Though driving all day in a fast-paced routine sounds exhausting, Jason has found a unique way to make his job joyful.
How? He pets the dogs of the customers he delivers to—and snaps some adorable photos with each one!
“It all started by accident,” Jason says. “One day, I randomly picked up a dog for a photo just for fun, and I posted it on Instagram. To my surprise, it got around 100 likes! Back then, that felt like a lot, and the positive comments encouraged me to keep going. Now, with everything going on in the world, I feel like these photos bring joy not only to me but to others as well.”
In fact, Jason’s been sharing pup pictures on Instagram every Friday for over three years now, bringing smiles to his followers week after week.
When asked about his favorite photo, Jason replies, “I don’t have just one favorite. I love the pictures where the dogs are smiling too. Those are extra special because they remind me why I enjoy this job!”
Besides the pups, Jason enjoys meeting people on his route. “I know most of my customers, and they know me. It makes being out there every day so much fun!”
If you’ve ever tried snapping a good picture with your dog, you know it’s not easy. But Jason says he has it down. “It’s actually pretty easy, especially with puppies! They’re so small and happy to be held that there’s no trouble at all.”
As a pet lover, Jason has a few funny stories to tell too. “Once, I was holding a small puppy who got a little scared. Next thing I knew, he peed on me! It’s all part of the fun, I guess.”
Through all the wagging tails and puppy smiles, Jason has found a way to bring a little extra happiness to his daily routine—and to everyone who follows his journey online.
