Vetoquinol - Universal Registration Document - 2021

2 58 Vetoquinol Universal Registration Document 2020 Financial report STATEMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Social footprint 2.7.3 Humans and animals: a lifelong relationship Dogs: humans’ best friend The benefits of having a pet for human physical and mental well-being have been known for many years. Throughout human history, the status of animals has evolved; originally domesticated for utilitarian purposes, today animals have become inseparable companions to their human owners. Pets play a vital social role: they are part of the family, sharing everyday home life. Humans care for animals, but the opposite is also true: animals can provide practical assistance, moral support and emotional relief to humans. Vetoquinol has set up a website specifically devoted to pet owners: www.myhappypet.fr . The website is also available in 12 other countries. This website was designed as part of the Group’s digital strategy, which encourages the development of websites dedicated to vets and pet owners. The range of advice offered by veterinarians and published on the site pro- vides pet owners with a reliable source of information. Topics cover everyday animal health as well as more spe- cific problems, for which pet owners seek sound advice. This site has been designed to assist pet owners: 75% of owners use the Internet to search for medical informa- tion, and for 90% of them vets remain the most reliable source (source: Thesis on Veterinary Medicine – Lyon 1 – 2014). Maintaining a close relationship with customers and partners remains Vetoquinol’s guiding principle for meeting their needs and supporting them on a daily basis. Animals and children Pets play a primordial role in a child’s individual and social development. As children’s close companions and confidants, animals can see and hear everything. The presence of a pet can calm a child’s fears, suffering or anxiety. Animals and elderly people living alone A pet’s presence is reassuring, gives structure to the day (regular walks) and increases social contact. Today, reti- rement homes welcome companion animals; for many people, pets guarantee quality of life and comfort. Accordingly, in its 2018 report on “The social life of reti- rement home residents”, the French Health Authority recommended the presence of animals, which helps to “assuage feelings of disorientation, benefit from a comforting presence and thereby enhance residents’ quality of life”. Animals and the disabled Guide dogs and service dogs help disabled people achieve greater independence, giving them constant comfort, warmth and friendship and helping them to find their place in society. Guide dogs provide a certain amount of security for the visually impaired when walking and traveling.