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Pets are Good for EU

The Pets are Good for EU conference took place at the Bibliothèque Solvay in Brussels on 4 May. 

The event was a unique opportunity to discover the benefits of pet ownership specifically related to ageing and to explore how policies may be adopted to unlock the full potential of pet ownership.

Population ageing raises many fundamental questions for policymakers. How do we help people remain independent and active as they age? How can we strengthen health promotion and prevention policies, especially those directed towards older people? As people are living longer, how can their quality of life be improved as they age? Pet ownership, in many cases, can be part of the solution to healthy active ageing.

Belgian association Activ'Dog also participated in the event to give delegates the opportunity to interact with dogs and experience first-hand the benefits they can bring.

If you've ever owned a pet, you already know how much fun and affection they can bring. But pets also come with some pretty powerful mental and physical health benefits. Dogs, for example, can reduce stress and anxiety, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. This all leads to better quality of life, better health and better work performance. In addition, the companion animal world is an industry of economic importance, especially in Europe.