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BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- Life is Better with Pets was the refrain at a summit hosted by Purina on Nov. 3 in Brooklyn, N.Y., called "Better with Pets: Exploring the Best Ideas for Bringing People and Pets Closer Together." The event was attended by about 140 veterinarians, dog trainers, pet bloggers, animal behavior consultants and other pet professionals.

Kicking off the meeting, Dr. Arleigh Renyolds, Nestle Purina senior researcher, told the story about how Husla, a small Alaskan town, took a turn for the worse after working dogs were greatly replaced by snowmobiles, and other forms of modern transportation. However, when racing dogs returned and quickly filled a cultural void, the entire community benefited in many ways, including improved performance of kids in schools. Dogs also connected the generation gap, as older folks passed down their wisdom regarding dog training and care. Today, Husla is prospering.

The first panel discussion was chaired by Hal Herzog, professor of psychology at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., and the author of "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard To Think Straight About Animals (Harper Books, New York, NY, 2010; $19.60). This discussion focused on evolving relationships with cats. It was pointed out that about one in every three Americans has a cat. And millennials, in particular, appear attracted to cats.

Certified cat behavior consultant Mikel Delgado noted that her research has demonstrated that cat people are different than dog people. And, while, overall cats don't enjoy the same veterinary care as dogs, and are more often given up to shelters than dogs, she says she hopes millennials will break that cycle.

While cats may not exactly be a millennial substitute for children; cats are members of the family. And millennials are having children later in life, having fewer children and in increasing instances have no children -- so the result is that perhaps their cats will be better cared for than previous generations of cat owners.

While people of all ages visit the Meow Parlor, the cat cafe in New York City co-founded by Christina Ha -- the greatest number of customers are millennials. Ha says that they've often used social media to learn about the cafe, and also send out images with the cafe's cats on social platforms like Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

"Some of (the millennial customers) are disappointed," says Ha. "They have no previous experience with cats -- and they expect the cats (at the cafe) to be all over them, instantly.

One of Delgado's pet peeves is when people consider cats low maintenance pets. "When maintenance is required, that isn't a bad thing. And the more you give to a cat, the more a cat will give back to you."

Dr. Marty Becker, who is the founder of a Free Free initiative to alleviate fearful veterinary visits, moderated a panel on pets' stress and anxiety. He explained, "At one time the idea of pets feeling stress, anxiety and fear was thought to be anthropomorphizing. It's not -- our dogs can and cats have the same emotions we do -- we know that is true."

Is a little bit or stress, or the right stress actually a good thing? Dr. Tony Buffington, emeritus professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio, says, "The ideal is a Goldilocks existence, not too much or too little stress."

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