INDUSTRY
Pet Care
YEAR
2024
CONTRIBUTION
User Research
Visual Design
My 2024 dissertation explores separation anxiety in dogs and their owners in France, focusing on its root causes and behavioral impacts.
Through this project, I aim to design practical, empathetic solutions that ease anxiety and foster a stronger emotional connection between pets and their humans.
10 years of experience as a cat mom …
As a cat owner, I've always appreciated how self-sufficient cats are—they're comfortable being alone for long periods. In contrast, dogs tend to rely deeply on human companionship and often show signs of separation anxiety when left alone.
This personal insight, reinforced by further research into isolation-related stress in pets, genuinely inspired me.
This project aims to design a solution that reduces anxiety for dogs and their owners, strengthening their emotional bond.
The core challenge
I identified a pervasive, yet often unaddressed, challenge: pet separation anxiety, a significant source of stress for both pets and owners, particularly post-COVID-19.
My understanding is based on in-depth interviews (5 dog owners, 1 veterinarian), supplemented by academic research and quantitative analysis.
This widespread anxiety directly impacts owner well-being and productivity, leads to potential costs, and, critically, strains the cherished emotional bond with their pets.
Mapping the ecosystem
Actor mapping allowed me to delineate the complete pet separation anxiety ecosystem, identifying key stakeholders and intervention points.
Contextual factors
Interviews showed that factors like household size, number of pets, and living space impact separation anxiety, revealing detailed patterns in owner behavior and pet response.
Market overview
Some owners tried pet sitters or trainers, but these disrupted the dog’s routine, increased anxiety by disrupting their familiar environment, and were too costly to sustain.
Existing products also fall short—offering only basic monitoring or brief distraction, without solving the root issue.
Current solutions like Furbo and Petcube offer only short-term distraction, while JoyPaw lacks adaptive, screen-free engagement.
There's a clear market gap for a solution that delivers sustained, cognitively enriching play tailored to dogs’ needs and easily fits into owners’ routines—without relying on passive screens.
Inspired by broader tech
I took inspiration from screen-free tools like orangutan projection games and interactive floors, which show how dynamic, engaging environments boost animal wellbeing through active, not passive, play.
Strategy
I leveraged the Impact-Effort Matrix to assess each approach, ensuring the selected solution maximized impact while aligning with project goals and resource constraints.
I leveraged the Impact-Effort Matrix to assess each approach, ensuring the selected solution maximized impact while aligning with project goals and resource constraints.
Future vision - MVP
Future vision:
A smart care system enabling emotional connection between pets and owners through:
Multiple projection games for mental stimulation
An all-in-one device integrating play, treats, and monitoring
Privacy-first camera with zone control + end-to-end encryption
MVP:
The first version focuses on building a mobile app with core features:
Track pet activity and basic emotional state
Interactive games to keep pets engaged
Integrates with existing hardware (e.g. treat dispensers, cameras)
Concept
I proposed a joyful concept with modern fonts and playful illustrations, aligned with the project goal to strengthen the bond between pets and owners.
Key UI elements like pill buttons and rounded icons create a welcoming, secure space that strengthens the emotional bond between dogs and owners.
Design Exploration
With the aim of strengthening the bond between dogs and their owners while making time apart more engaging, I explored numerous iterations. Here are some key examples I'd love to share.
1
First touchpoint
The welcome screen is the first chance to make an impact on the user and build a brand awareness right from the start.
Here are the top 2 iterations I’ve crafted - let’s take a closer look at why the second option really stands out!
2
Game session
This screen is crucial as it lets owners remotely interact with their dog even when apart.
It aims to provide an engaging and reassuring experience that reduces separation anxiety by letting owners stay connected to their pet during playtime.
Final solution
PupVision is an innovative solution featuring a kit that allows dogs to interact with projection games, paired with a mobile app for owners to monitor their dog's health and emotions.
1
See the dog in distance
Even while at work, owners can easily monitor their dog's well-being and emotions remotely.
2
Watch the dog play from afar
Owners can choose projection games for their dogs, monitor them remotely, and use a treat-based reward system to encourage positive behavior.
Game time is limited to keep dogs engaged and prevent exhaustion, strengthening the owner-dog bond even when apart.
3
Track dog’s health & mind
Users can easily monitor their dog's physical and emotional health, giving owners peace of mind and effectively alleviating separation anxiety.
Key learnings
PupVision is one of the projects I'm most passionate about in my design journey. I've had the chance to wear multiple hats — balancing the strategic focus of a PM, the empathetic approach of a Researcher, and the creative problem-solving of a Designer.
This included:
Conducting domain research, surveys, and user interviews.
Synthesizing insights insights from the research.
Defining key features and priorities
Created wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity designs while iterating based on feedback and testing
What's next?
PupVision has evolved with my growth as a designer, but there’s still plenty to explore.
I’d love to dive into:
Create a community where users can connect with other pet owners, share advice, and even submit game ideas.
Explore more games to make the solution more immersive, with a diverse collection to keep dogs interested and prevent boredom from repetitive gameplay.
Analyze long-term user retention and explore strategies for consistent dog interaction.