This is exactly the mission that Kosta Impact Animal has set for itself: to highlight the benefits of pets in our lives. “My dog Kosta reconnects me with myself. He takes me out of the work environment and brings me a lot of joy. He is an incredible stress reliever!” says Normand Paré, whom you discovered in the DH rencontre: Normand et Eléna capsule. Among the most notable benefits of pets in the current context, he cites as examples: combats loneliness, encourages breaks and physical activity, brings joy and calm. Discover the testimonials of eight other entrepreneurs.

My muse for undertaking

“I found my cat Floki on the street while I was recovering from a severe head injury that forced me to stop my pilot studies. He was weak, small and dehydrated. The vet didn’t think he would survive. He finally pulled through and I started making scarves for him. One thing led to another and my cat inspired my pet accessories business project Catso & Co. I have always been a hyper-achiever, anxious and stressed and Floki helps me channel this energy. It soothes me to have him with me. He has changed my relationship with animals. Thanks to him, I have met the people I consider my best friends.” – Marie-Kristine Brodeau, owner of Catso & Co.

My office colleagues

“After a temporary layoff from my employer in March, I decided to open my own law firm. I have been working remotely for three months with my dogs Kyra and Vie. The office door remains open and they lie at my feet. I introduced them on social media as my co-workers (see photo). Sometimes I can't look at the screen because one of them needs to be petted or lies on my keyboard. Walks give me a change of scenery and some fresh air. I always have a source of love by my side, which makes things easier and less stressful. I will miss them when I have to go to the office.” – Me Virginia Cabello, lawyer, owner of Vic Avocats

Mr. Happiness

“Lucky is a border collie that I adopted five years ago because my two twins were crazy about animals. He is trained as a service dog. I take him everywhere with me. Before the lockdown, Lucky regularly accompanied me to the office and he was the real mascot, he who welcomed people, went around the employees to greet them. The team fought to go for a walk with him at lunchtime. He officially holds the position of Mr. Happiness in our Montreal office. Since the start of the lockdown, he has been with me in the basement to work. It is impossible to sulk with him, he is always wagging his tail, is happy and inspires a kind of serenity in the family. He is also my running companion.” – Yves Delnatte, co-founder and CEO, Ineat Group

From Japan to here

“I fell in love with Toky, a Chihuahua, in a pet store in Tokyo, Japan. When I returned home, I looked into adopting her, but it was too expensive and complicated. As fate would have it, my niece was going to Tokyo with her mother a few weeks later and I asked her to bring her back to Canada. She slept the entire flight as if it was normal for her to cross the Atlantic Ocean to join us. With the intensity of my days in the pharmacy at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, she instantly made me smile again. Toky brings me calm. For my husband and me, she provides the daily dose of cuddles against high blood pressure (laughs).” – Brigitte Marchand, owner of Pharmacie Brigitte Marchand et Catherine Roy inc., member of the Jean Coutu Group

Billie, the flowers and me

“I have a very solitary job. With her, I feel less alone. When the COVID-19 crisis broke out, my business was growing and largely event-driven. I had to act quickly to find other ways to sell; I had hundreds of flowers already planted! I was experiencing a lot of anxiety. No matter what, Billie wants her walk or to play with her ball. It’s beautiful, it’s refreshing and it helps me put things into perspective. Every morning, I take a walk in the woods with her, and it starts my day off on the right foot. There are days when I don’t feel like it, when I haven’t slept well because of stress, and this routine really calms me down.

When I am paralyzed by doubts, I give him hugs and his joy of life gets me going again." – Alexandra Truchot, owner of Atelier Alex in the countryside

My Mindfulness Guide

“Cooper is a golden retriever that I adopted four years ago after my son was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. He was forced to stop all his sports activities and was often alone. I had no idea then how much the dog would be a source of love for the whole family. Working from home, Cooper encourages me to take breaks that I don’t usually take and lets me enjoy the beautiful weather outside. In conscious leadership, we learn to be present and Cooper is a true guide to savoring the simple things in life.” – Stéphane Leblanc, Founder and CEO, International Centre for Conscious Leadership

It relieves my anxiety

“Before adopting Bruce, my partner and I would often dog sit friends’ dogs for long periods of time and I noticed how much less moody and stressed I was during these times. My dog is nine and a half months old. He’s a Samoyed. Together, the three of us are learning to live with my generalized anxiety disorder and while it’s not always easy, having a dog allows us to have shorter and less intense attacks. Bruce has not undergone any training or recognition program as a psychological assistance dog, but he is attentive to my needs when I have attacks and reassures me. From a young age, he tried to cheer me up in these situations. Now, he comes over, licks my face and sits at my feet so I can pet him and calm me down.” – Rebecca Mathieu, Founder and Chief Planner of Simply Us