Purina Institute Global Summit 2026 To Spotlight How The Human-Animal Bond Is Shaping Future Veterinary Medicine
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Global leaders in veterinary medicine, nutrition, behavioural science and human healthcare will convene at the Purina Institute Global Summit 2026 to explore the human–animal bond and the future of veterinary care. Taking place 27–28 May 2026, the free, two-day virtual event will give veterinary professionals worldwide access to evidence-based CPD, featuring the latest research and practical strategies to strengthen client relationships and support more effective preventive care.
At a time when demand for preventive pet healthcare is rapidly increasing, this premier event highlights how the veterinary profession can shift from a model focused on reactive treatment to one centred on proactive, preventive care, strengthening the human–animal bond, improving vet–client partnerships, and supporting longer, healthier lives for pets.
A lineup of 17 expert speakers includes Dr James A. Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, who will deliver a session on the origins of the human–animal bond. Dr Gregory Berns of Emory University will discuss using functional MRI to decode what dogs really think and feel.
Exploring the case for changing the care paradigm, Dr Zoe Belshaw, RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, will examine the differences in clients’ and veterinarians’ perceptions of preventive care.
Dr Kit Delgado, the faculty director of the Penn Medicine Nudge Unit, the world’s first behavioural design team embedded within a health system, will present on diagnosing and designing for better preventive care decisions with insights from behavioural economics.
The event will also consider how change in the care paradigm can be enacted, with Dr Jason Coe, of the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, leading a session on reframing how we communicate the value of preventive veterinary care, and Dr Alison Lambert of Onswitch examining the key partnership between pet parents and the veterinary healthcare team.
“Pet owners increasingly expect personalised, preventive care shaped around the human–animal bond. The Purina Institute Global Summit will equip veterinary teams with practical communication strategies and emerging tools to improve client adherence and ultimately deliver better long-term patient outcomes,” said Daniel Rodes, Innovation and Renovation Lead at Purina Europe.
All virtual presentations will be available free for veterinary professionals to attend live or view later on demand, and provide up to 8.5 hours of CPD. Live translations will also be available.
Veterinary professionals can visit https://globalsummit2026.purinainstitute.com to register free of charge and find out more about the full programme and speakers.
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