Ehpanimal: An innovative and remarkable initiative for retirement home residents’ pets in Libourne, France

In December 2024, La Belle-Isle retirement home (Libourne, France) inaugurated a one-of-a-kind project in France: Ehpanimal, a facility that allows residents to live alongside their cherished pets within the retirement home itself.

This project, fruit of the collaboration between Libourne Hospital Center, Ceva Animal Health and Cheops Technology, addresses the growing need to preserve the emotional bond among elderly residents and their hairy companions, crucial for their wellness.

The presence of a companion animal has undeniable benefits on the emotional and physical health of the residents. Thanks to the positive hormones released during interactions such as dopamine or oxytocin, it can help improve temper, reduce stress and alleviate depressive symptoms. This emotional attachment also plays a fundamental role in the fight towards elders’ social isolation in retirements home. Animals bring such deep constant solace while encouraging to create bonds between residents and the personnel, participating in setting up a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

On the physical plan, benefits are just as striking. Animal presence prompts to maintain a daily routine, essential to preserve residents’ autonomy. Dogs’ walks, for instance, motivate seniors to stay active, improving their mobility and overall well-being. All those small physical activities contribute as well to lower blood pressure and heart rate. Scientists have found that endorphins secreted through contact with animals are also powerful painkillers. It has been proved that interacting with animals stimulates memory, attention and cognitive abilities, promoting greater mental alertness.

All the benefits this facility provides to the residents naturally extend to their pets, who also feel the positive effects. Indeed, these animals, often depressed and lost after their owners move to a retirement home, experience isolation and lack of care. The attention and the calmer environment provided by this facility help them regain a sense of well-being, easing their sadness and loneliness.

Ehpanimal was made possible thanks to the dedication of Ceva and Cheops Technology, who both funded this project and provided essential financial support for its implementation. This initiative also relies on a network of committed partners, such as the Hospital Center of Libourne, Purina, TERPTA association, Hobo (architectural company), and Falco (wood construction), who have all made a major input into the creation of this unique venue.

During the opening ceremony, the Executive Officer of North-Gironde Hospitals, Christian Soubie, insisted that this project goes far beyond a simple emotional bond. According to him, maintaining this connection with the animal is crucial for preserving the autonomy and health of the residents. He expressed his pride in seeing this project come to fruition alongside Nicolas Leuroy-Fleuriot of Cheops Technology and Marc Prikazksy, CEO of Ceva, who himself emphasizes that Ehpanimal perfectly embodies one of his company’s main missions: strengthening the bond between humans and animals, particularly for the elderly, for whom this connection is essential.

Our efforts in this area reflect our belief that animals can significantly improve the quality of life of aging people by providing comfort, joy and a greater sense of connection. Ceva has already supported research in the Netherlands, France and the UK to redefine the approach to care home design. This new project is aligned with these scientific evidences.