How Pets May Slow Cognitive Decline: What Caregivers and Employers Need to Know

In this episode, we sit down with two brilliant researchers from Switzerland to explore a topic that instantly resonated with us—the powerful connection between pet ownership, cognitive aging, and caregiving. What started as a conversation about research quickly turned into a deeper discussion about human connection, quality of life, and how everyday relationships—especially with pets—can shape how we age and how we care.

We dig into what the research actually shows (and what it doesn’t), why dogs and cats seem to stand out, and how pets can play a role not just for older adults, but for caregivers and families as well. This episode will absolutely get you thinking differently about pets—not just as companions, but as part of a broader support system for aging, caregiving, and even end-of-life conversations.

Episode Highlights:

[0:51] – Setting the stage: why working caregivers remain invisible
[1:32] – Selma and Zack welcome listeners and introduce the episode
[2:12] – Meet our guests joining us from Switzerland
[5:09] – A powerful personal caregiving story that shaped a research career
[7:32] – What a longitudinal study is—and why 18 years of data matters
[10:47] – Surprising findings: pet owners didn’t start with better cognition
[11:43] – Why dogs and cats showed stronger cognitive benefits than birds or fish
[14:09] – The potential role of touch, routine, and social engagement
[16:02] – What pet ownership may mean for mild cognitive impairment and dementia
[17:49] – How pets can support family caregivers—and when they add strain
[19:52] – Why this research isn’t a prescription, but a strong signal for support
[21:06] – Pets as emotional bridges before and after loss
[23:17] – What employers and HR leaders can learn from these findings
[24:43] – Big takeaways: pets as part of our social network and quality of life
[27:12] – A candid conversation about end-of-life, grief, and why we avoid the topic
[29:27] – What research is coming next and why it matters

Links & Resources:

· Research study: Longitudinal relationships between pet ownership and cognitive functioning in later adulthood across pet types and individuals' ages: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40447721/

· Dr. Meier's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clementmeier/

· Dr. Rostekova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-rostekova-75192a141/

· Interview with a young Caregiver mentioned on the show: https://www.invisibleemployeesbook.com/real-working-caregivers-stories-1-32

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