Kidzania, Purina, & Boehringer Ingelheim Promote Veterinary Career Paths & Pet Health In Dubai

Learning and entertainment center KidZania is collaborating with pet nutrition leader Purina and the animal health division of global pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim to launch a role-playing “veterinary clinic” at Dubai Mall; where 2-16 year-olds are being offered immersive experiences to help them learn about veterinary science, animal welfare, and the benefits of keeping pets healthy. 

Educating through entertainment at its 7,000 m2 scaled replica of a real city, KidZania gives children the opportunity to participate in role-play activities designed to promote real-life skills and wider understanding of more than 70 careers. 

The new veterinary clinic offering focuses on the needs of pets; helping kids learn about suitable environments and diets for them, how best to treat them, and how to take care of their health. Its activities will be led by Purina, which will advise on pet nutrition, and Boehringer Ingelheim who, with the help of KidZania staff will educate children about animal welfare through real-life experiences; and draw the link between human and animal wellbeing while emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the health of all species. 

“We believe that children are the pet owners of the future, which is why it's necessary that they're educated about caring for pets responsibly,” said Sergej Pracevic, Business Executive Officer, Middle East & North Africa, at Nestlé Purina PetCare. “At Purina, we are aiming to reach two million children by 2023, and to inspire long-term behavioral change that enriches the lives of animals and the people who love them.” 

Herbert Pohle, Head of Animal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim META stated: “At Boehringer Ingelheim, we recognize that the lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. As one of the largest animal health businesses in the world, we believe in driving value through innovation and in prevention over treatment, with one of our main focuses being the development of innovative medical solutions to support our customers in taking care of the health of their animals. Though strategic collaborations with partners, we materialize our commitment to bringing value and creating a lasting impact on communities and animals. Our work with KidZania Dubai and Purina on Veterinary Clinic gives us the unique opportunity to inspire young minds and grow their understanding of the importance of animal health in ways that cannot be done in a classroom.”

Studies conducted over the years have shown a clear connection between the health of animals and humans, who are ‘interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystems in which they exist’. This includes the transfer of infectious diseases from animals to humans’, making it crucial for pet owners to be aware of as they increasingly come in contact with domestic animals. 

A 2019 Animal Wellbeing Report from PDSA, the United Kingdom’s leading veterinary charity, suggests that many owners don’t fully understand what their pets need for a healthy, happy life, which is leading to serious pet welfare issues that include obesity, loneliness and behavioral problems. The report also found that the majority of children interviewed had little or no knowledge in animal care.