Mars has launched a new partnership with mental health company Calm which will see the creation of pet-related content on the popular wellness app.
The Mars x Calm Collection features a suite of free-to-access pet-inspired ‘Sleep Stories’, guided meditations and mindfulness tools such as breathing exercises designed to remind pet lovers to pause, be present, and embrace the simple moments of connection with their pets. Further content included social campaign to uncover real pet-owner stories that may be featured in future Calm content and an interactive quiz, ‘My Pet Guru’, to help people discover their pet’s “wellbeing superpower”.
The partnership, designed to spotlight the wellbeing potential of pets, has been announced today (May 13) to help mark Mental Health Awareness Week and follows a survey of over 30,000 pet owners across 20 markets, conducted by YouGov. The survey showed that almost eight in 10 (78%) people say their pet reminds them to pause and take a break from work, chores or tasks, with 50% saying this happens daily.
Helen Mills, VP corporate affairs and sustainability, global petcare, at Mars said: “We are excited to be partnering with Calm to make sure pets get the credit they deserve as our secret wellbeing superheroes.
“There is a mountain of evidence that the bond we share with our pets has a truly transformational impact on our wellbeing. We will be bringing that to life through content informed by what we have heard from thousands of pet owners across the world: that our relationship with our pets plays a unique role in rest, relaxation and overall wellbeing.”
Greg Justice, chief content officer at Calm, added: “Yet another reason to love our pets: the data shows they have a profound impact on mental health. That’s why we’re proud to partner with Mars, the global leader in pet care, to celebrate how pets enhance wellbeing for millions worldwide and to highlight diverse approaches to mental health support.
“Together, we’re helping more people – and their pets – experience the proven benefits of the human-animal bond through real stories, science-backed tools, and supportive content.”