Meet the winner of the first BetterwithPets Prize

The first edition of the Purina BetterwithPets Prize (2018) gathered more than 100 applications from social entrepreneurs and innovators. On 7th June 2018, Purina held its BetterwithPets Forum in Barcelona, where the finalists of the Prize pitched their projects and the winner was announced.

The winner was the OOPOEH (Opa’s en Oma’s Passen Op Een Huisdier), a foundation helping to reduce loneliness and increase physical activity for the elderly by matching them as a dog sitter to a family in their own neighbourhood. Both dog sitters and dogs keep each other company, go for walks and socialize more with other people and dogs.

In the picture, Christine and Sammy. “Because of my age and fragile health I did not dare to buy myself a dog anymore. But I missed the company of a dog so much! I walk a lot, without a dog it’s just not as much fun. As an OOPOEH I don't have to worry that a dog will be left behind if something happens to me. Sammy is so very sweet, I love him so much! He is very popular, people always come by when he’s with me. He really is a teddy bear and we always have a lot of attention on the street. The contact with Sammy’s owners is also very nice. I recently moved home with their help. I feel very fortunate.”

Watch highlights from the BetterwithPets Prize & Forum 2018 below.

_{Photo credit: Bram Kloos}