Did you know that over half of Dutch people suffer from stress? Even in the famously laid-back and liberal Netherlands, stress is evidently a problem. To help tackle this problem, … read moreMenzis Health Insurance is showing how dogs can play a role in reducing stress in humans through a unique initiative called ‘Dogs Against Stress’, created by their lead agency DDB & Tribal Amsterdam. The campaign is based on research conducted both independently and by Menzis, showing that indeed over 50% of all Dutch people experience stress-related symptoms – for which Menzis Health Insurance offers different solutions. However, many studies – including one by Harvard Medical School, show that interacting with dogs has many health benefits and a stress-reducing effect. But the problem is this: how can people who do not own a dog themselves – because they can’t or don’t want to – to be around a dog regularly anyway? And especially at work, where much of the stress originates from? The answer is ‘Dogs Against Stress’ - a collaboration between companies and animal shelters. Employees are activated to take part and adopt a ‘company dog’. A shelter dog, adopted full-time by one employee, and taken to their place of work every day to provide companionship to all employees.
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