Diary Date notice, 14 September 2022
Tuesday 27th September at the Residence Palace
Join the Pet Alliance in Brussels at its pet-friendly networking event to celebrate #PetPower in the EU. The event is open to all animal lovers who would like to celebrate, network and learn about animal-assisted interventions. Hosted by AnimalhealthEurope and FEDIAF EuropeanPetFood, the event takes place:
- on Tuesday 27th September 2022 6:30 – 8:30PM
- The Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi 155, 1040 Brussels
If you are interested in attending this event, please register here.
In the run up to World Animal Day, this will be the Pet Alliance’s first ‘in person’ event, following two successful virtual events. At this special celebration, guests are invited to bring along their pet – and help us pick the cutest pet in the Brussels bubble. Entries, which have been received from 14 people working at the EU institutions and 26 ‘bubblers’, can be viewed at www.pet-power.eu and voting on the finalists will take place at the event.
Alongside the networking and photo contest, there is a serious message. AnimalhealthEurope and FEDIAF explain: “We are delighted that we will be joined by Dogs for Good Chief Executive, Peter Gorbing who will speak about the importance of harmonised guidelines for training all kinds of assistance, therapy or emotional support animals and how they’re working with other associations to develop these. These dogs are a wonderful example of #PetPower and exemplify the profound impact and value of the human-animal bond. We are calling on the EU to recognise the value and support these guidelines.”
The event at the Residence Palace will also showcase other animal therapy organisations such as Fondation I See who train guide dogs for the blind, DYADIS who train assistance dogs, the FYDO team who train assistance dogs to support victims of crime and also pet therapy hospital volunteers from Villa Samson.
We do hope you can attend and celebrate this wonderful work! For more information please visit www.pet-power.eu.
Ends
For more media information please email petpower@petalliance.eu.
Notes to Editors
Pet Alliance Europe
Formed in 2021, the Pet Alliance Europe is coordinated by AnimalhealthEurope and FEDIAF EuropeanPetFood . We are united in our belief that pet ownership has the potential to enhance the lives of all Europeans and brings many societal benefits. We refer to this as #PetPower. We are advocates for pet welfare and work with like-minded organizations to share information on how to care for pets.
What is #PetPower?
#PetPower is our way of talking about human-animal interactions, the bond between our species, and the many benefits that can be drawn from close relationships between people and animals, particularly companion animals. It’s another way of talking about animal-assisted interventions and the human-animal bond. It also refers to any situation where there is interchange between humans and animals at an individual, community or cultural level.
Our Focus
At a European-level there remain significant gaps in the evidence base. There is also a lack of harmonized guidelines for animal-assisted activities and for the care of animals involved in interventions or services. Our alliance believes this would be an important focus area for further research. Particularly given increasing isolation, with older adults now forming around 20% of our population, as well as rapid urbanisation and the associated social challenges.
As advocates for pet well-being, we work with like-minded organisations to share education on responsible pet ownership and good pet care.
