Normand Paré was a workaholic. The serial entrepreneur who made his mark in real estate, pharmaceuticals and retail hit a wall when he was diagnosed with brain cancer, giving him only months to live. He then embarked on a quest through travel and reading.

Following the death of his mother, his partner Eléna Kostadinova experienced a major upheaval. The couple went through a difficult time. In 2015, they adopted a baby dog. “I wasn’t thrown out on the first day,” says Normand Paré. “At first, I noticed the therapeutic benefits that his presence had on Eléna and her grief. Then, it hit me. The lessons I had sought out all over the world, I found in the well-being that our pet brought us.”

Quickly, the couple that we discovered in the DH rencontre capsule , looked for ways to communicate their discoveries. First by sharing their dog with a zootherapist so that he spreads even more joy. Then, by launching Kosta Impact Animal , a platform highlighting the benefits of animals on our well-being through local and international initiatives.

More conscious

With the pandemic pushing us to redefine ourselves and as more and more entrepreneurs turn to so-called mindfulness meditation to maintain balance, Normand Paré notes how much our four-legged companions teach us. “Animals are an unsuspected source of well-being, of returning to oneself and of mindfulness. That is why they take up such a large place in our lives. At a time when we are looking for meaning and human contact, animals bring us back to the essentials. They humanize us.”

According to a Léger survey published last February, dogs and cats are present in half of Quebec homes (28% own at least one dog and 31% own at least one cat). Never in the history of Quebec have furry companions taken such a large place in our lives. “This project allowed me to validate my findings by collecting a multitude of testimonies,” says the businessman, who now wants to use his professional background to serve this cause. Animals are also very present in businesses, senior centers and homeless shelters, among other places. Our desire is to highlight the determining role they play in our lives. In a way, it’s the legacy that Eléna and I want to leave.”

Faithful companion and important ally

"I would be curious to know how many entrepreneurs have a pet and do not realize all that it can bring them," observes Normand Paré, who cites the inspiring example of Lise Watier who traveled everywhere with "her remedy for anxiety", her poodle. "The manager experiences all sorts of challenges in a day," he continues. In my case, Kosta allows me to take a break from my work environment, he allows me to take off my entrepreneur boots to focus on the human."

In addition to reducing stress and acting on the feeling of acceptance or self-esteem, the pet fulfills many emotional and relational needs. How can we benefit from the animal impact in our lives?

“When you are in the company of an animal, be fully present,” suggests Normand Paré. “Be aware of the living being with which you are interacting. Get out of your thoughts, take advantage of its soothing presence to connect with others, to break the isolation.”