Pet Insurance Is HR's Missing Piece for Employee Wellness

Feb 18, 2026

By OnePack Plan Team

As stress and turnover mount, companies that treat pets as true family members are discovering a powerful lever for retention and wellbeing.

man with dog at beach

HR teams have poured time and money into meditation apps and wellness programs. Yet employee sentiment towards their benefits package remains stubbornly strained: 70% of Canadian employees report feeling dissatisfied with their current benefits plan. Meanwhile, there's a solution hiding in plain sight—one that 50% of workers in Canada are already asking to get through their employers. And it's not a new app or program—it's a meaningful benefit that can help pet owners gain more peace of mind when it comes to their furry friends: pet insurance. For HR leaders under pressure to address stress, retention, and engagement, pet-inclusive benefits offer a simple, high-ROI lever hiding in plain sight. 

Why Pets Matter

In a study on Canadian pet ownership, 95% of owners agreed that their pet has a positive impact on their mental health. 93% stated that their pet contributes to a happier and healthier life, and 91% reported that their pet has made them feel less lonely in times of isolation. This proves that pets are more than just companions—they’re a source of emotional and mental support.  

They can even impact physical wellbeing, since according to Canadian health researcher Leigh Vanderloo, people with dogs get an average of 160 minutes of exercise a week. At 10 minutes more than the recommended minimum, people with dogs can already be at a physical health advantage just by owning a dog. These positive impacts of having pets can translate to how employees collaborate and engage with teammates in the workplace. 

What That Means for Your Company 

When it comes to pet owners in the workplace, the research shows a direct link between pet benefits and workplace loyalty. 49% of Canadian employees said they’d prefer to have pet benefits over unlimited snacks and drinks, faster WiFi, or catered lunches in the office. A HABRI–OnePack Plan survey found 78% of senior leaders would make major life changes, including job moves, to accommodate their pets.  

Pet-inclusive benefits don’t have to be complex (as they’re often assumed to be). Start simply by looking through a “pet lens” at your current programs: 

  • Insurance: The best pet insurance products can now cover preventive care, prescriptions, or accidents 

  • Flexibility: Allow remote work for vet visits, or offer “pawternity leave” for new pet additions 

  • Recognition: Integrate pets into wellness challenges or recognition programs to normalize the role they play in employees’ lives. 

  • Compassion: Offer one to three days of bereavement leave for pet loss, a benefit more employers are adopting as they recognize grief is grief, no matter the family member. 

The message these policies send—we see you, and we understand the life you’re balancing—is as valuable as the practical support itself. 

Stress, burnout, and employee retention are urgent challenges that HR teams face every day. By extending benefits to reflect that reality, employers can unlock a powerful lever for wellbeing and loyalty. Sometimes the most effective innovations aren’t new at all. They’re right there at our feet. 

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