Why We Love Our Pets
Date & time
21 October 2026 | 17.30-19.00
Event format
Attend event in person
Event type
Talk / panel debate
Event topic
Health and wellbeing
Audience
Adults
Academic discipline
Psychology
Venue
The Bayes Centre, Room G.03
Professional audiences
What's on offer?
Why do we love our pets so much? Join psychology researchers from the University of Edinburgh’s Human-Animal Interaction Research Group for an interactive evening exploring the psychology behind our relationships with cats and dogs.
5:30pm - 6pm Free tea, coffee and cake!
6pm - 7pm Talk begins!
What's it about?
Discover how pets influence our mental health and wellbeing, why we form such strong emotional attachments, and what these bonds reveal about our need for connection and belonging. Through fascinating research, interactive activities and shared stories, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the important role pets play in our everyday lives.
Who's leading the event?
Dr Roxanne Hawkins (Lecturer in Clinical Psychology) and Prof Steve Loughnan (Professor in Psychology) from the University of Edinburgh
Open to
suitable for adults
Of particular interest to
People who love animals and are curious about the psychology behind our relationships with them
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