- Mars announces intention to undertake world's largest
international study program into the human-animal bond and the role
of cats and dogs in human mental health and wellbeing
- The multi-year research program in partnership with
leading academics will span over 35,000 people across more than 20
countries. It launches at a time of growing awareness of the global
mental health crisis affecting
millions1,2
- Mars also unveils unique research and content partnership
with Calm, a leading mental health company, to shine a light on
pets and their role in human mental health and
wellbeing
BRUSSELS, Feb. 20,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mars, Incorporated – the
leading pet care business – has announced the launch of the Pets
and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) program. PAWS is set to become the
world's largest, multi-year research program exploring the impact
of cats and dogs on mental health and wellbeing, deepening our
understanding of the mutual benefits of the human-animal bond.
Led by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in
collaboration with leading academic institutions and experts, PAWS
will examine the connection between pets and human mental health
and wellbeing (including stress, anxiety, loneliness and overall
wellbeing). The multi-disciplinary research program will engage
over 35,000 people across 20+ countries in the initial phase and
will continue to build over time. The program aims to bring deeper
insight and scientific data into the mutual benefits of the
human-animal bond, including how pets may enrich lives and how the
bond contributes to the life of pets.
Loïc Moutault, President of Mars Petcare,
said: "As a pet owner, I know firsthand the joy and
comfort pets bring to our lives and there is increasing evidence
that owning a pet or simply interacting with one can bring benefits
to people of all ages and from all walks of life. We're aiming to
deliver on our Purpose: A Better World for Pets, because we believe
pets make our lives better, and through this study program we aim
to provide deeper, science-backed understanding of the mutual bond
between people and pets."
Over the lifetime of the study program the collaborative
research will include work with academic institutions and partners
including Cummings School of Veterinary
Medicine at Tufts University, University of Maryland School of Nursing,
University of Pennsylvania School of
Veterinary Medicine, University of
Liverpool, University of Arizona
College of Veterinary Medicine, YouGov and the Human Animal Bond
Research Institute, with the aim to deliver novel research and new
insights.
Dr Maggie O'Haire, Associate
Dean for Research at the University of
Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine said: "Both
the breadth and depth of this study program promise to deliver
novel data and greater insight into something many people
instinctively feel – that the bond between pet and pet owner is a
powerful and unique part of the human experience. We are proud to
continue to collaborate with Mars and its world-leading research
institute as it embarks on this transformative work."
As part of the program, Mars is also partnering with Calm, a
leading mental health company. The collaboration combines Calm's
expertise in mental wellness with Mars' leading research into the
human-animal bond and will encompass research and content through
2025.
Dr. Chris Mosunic, Chief
Clinical Officer, Calm said: "Pets are daily sources of
calm, joy, and connection. Through our partnership with Mars, we
aim to understand these relationships better and illuminate the
unique role pets play in mental health and wellbeing, supported by
new in-app resources."
Wellbeing has become an increasingly vital priority with 45% of
people across 31 countries identifying mental health as their top
health concern.2 At the same time, global anxiety and
stress levels are rising, affecting over 301 million people
worldwide.1 A growing body of evidence shows that pets
can have a positive impact on mental health, underscoring the
powerful potential of human-animal interaction to enhance
wellbeing.3,4 With 56% of people worldwide owning pets
and a global pet population of 1 billion, understanding the
universal and transformative bond between humans and animals has
never been more important.3
Mars advocates for the essential role companion animals play in
our lives and is committed to tackling issues such as pet
homelessness to keep pets and people together. Over the next five
years, Mars aims to support millions of vulnerable pets worldwide
alongside a coalition of dedicated partners and believes a deeper
understanding of the role pets play in people's lives will
contribute to improving the lives of pets and the people who care
for them.
Mars is a global leader in pet care, spanning comprehensive
veterinary care (including: AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™,
Linnaeus and VCA™), nutrition (including PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®,
and WHISKAS®), breakthrough programs in veterinary
diagnostics (ANTECH®), wearable health monitoring and pet
parent platforms. With over 100,000 Associates helping pets, their
owners and pet professionals in more than 130 countries.
For more information on PAWS program, visit:
www.mars-petsandwellbeing.com
About Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is driven by the belief that the world we
want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. As a $50bn+
family-owned business, our diverse and expanding portfolio of
leading pet care products and veterinary services support pets all
around the world and our quality snacking and food products delight
millions of people every day. We produce some of the world's
best-loved brands including ROYAL CANIN®, PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®,
CESAR®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M's®, SNICKERS® and BEN'S ORIGINAL™.
Our international networks of pet hospitals, including BANFIELD™,
BLUEPEARL™, VCA™ and ANICURA™ span preventive, general, specialty,
and emergency veterinary care, and our global veterinary
diagnostics business ANTECH® offers breakthrough capabilities
in pet diagnostics. The Mars Five Principles — Quality,
Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom — inspire our
150,000 Associates to act every day to help create a better world
for people, pets and the planet.
For more information about Mars, please
visit www.mars.com.
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
About Waltham Petcare Science Institute
Waltham Petcare Science Institute has been advancing pet health
and nutrition for more than 60 years. Today, we research new ways
to predict, manage and prevent disease, discovering insights and
advances that proactively help pets live happier, healthier lives.
Waltham collaborates with leading external scientific experts and
partners to drive innovation creating a better world for pets based
on scientific evidence. Building on a strong legacy of human-animal
interaction research, we continue to advance scientific
understanding of the relationships between pets and people.
For more information, visit: www.waltham.com. Join us on
LinkedIn.
About Calm
Calm is a consumer mental health company on a mission to
support everyone on every step of their mental health journey. With
the #1 app to help you sleep more, stress less and live mindfully
as well as a growing library of digital, evidence-based mental
health programs, Calm offers trusted support for individuals and
organizations alike. Our flagship consumer app provides
personalized content and activities – featuring a range of experts
and beloved celebrity voices. Our workplace and healthcare
solutions take a consumer-friendly approach to mental health
support delivered on a HIPAA-compliant platform to drive positive
health and business outcomes. Named a TIME100 Most Influential
Company, Calm has more than 150 million downloads and supports more
than 3,500 organizations across seven languages and 190
countries.
To learn more, visit calm.com.
References
- World Health Organization, Anxiety Disorders, 2023
- IPSOS, Ipsos Health Service Report 2024: Mental Health seen as
the biggest Health issue, 2024
- Mars, Mars Global Pet Parent Study, 2024
- Gitanjali E. Gnanadesikan et al.
Glucocorticoid response to naturalistic interactions between
children and dogs. Hormones and Behavior. Volume 161, May 2024
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