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The Dogist Named Closing Keynote Speaker for NAPHIA Engage 2026

CHARLESTON, S.C., April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) today announced that Elias Weiss Friedman, the acclaimed photographer, New York Times bestselling author, and creator of The Dogist, will serve as the closing keynote speaker at NAPHIA Engage 2026, the association's biannual conference focused on the future of pet health insurance.

This year's conference theme will focus on the human–animal bond, exploring the deep connection between pets and their people at a time when pet owners increasingly view their animals as true members of the family. As expectations for pet care continue to rise—from pet insurance and preventive health coverage to wearable insights and emerging technologies—pet parents are seeking new ways to provide the best possible care throughout their pets' lives. The theme reflects NAPHIA's role as a leader in the pet health ecosystem, convening the industry to help shape solutions that protect and strengthen that bond. Friedman will close the conference with reflections drawn from over a decade of documenting dogs and their stories around the world, offering a powerful, people first perspective on why pets matter so profoundly in our lives.

"Elias has a remarkable ability to capture the emotional truth of the human–animal bond," said Sammi-Jo Nevin, President of NAPHIA. "Through The Dogist, his simple and honest storytelling reminds us that love for our pets is universal, unconditional, and deeply human. Closing NAPHIA Engage with Elias's perspective reinforces our shared responsibility as an industry to lead with empathy, innovation, and a long term vision for the future of pet health and care."

Friedman launched The Dogist in 2013 as a playful take on streetstyle photography. It has since evolved into a global storytelling platform and brand, sharing real, moving stories about dogs and the people who love them. Over the past 11 years, he has photographed more than 50,000 dogs, building a community of tens of millions who turn to The Dogist for connection, comfort, and optimism.

"I'm honored to join NAPHIA Engage and to speak with leaders who are shaping the future of pet health," said Elias Weiss Friedman. "Dogs love us simply and completely, and that bond deserves to be protected. I'm excited to be part of a conversation about how this industry can help ensure pets and their families have access to the care, security, and peace of mind they need."

Friedman's closing keynote will take place on Wednesday, May 27 from 4:40 – 5:35 PM ET and is open to the public. Each attendee will also receive a signed copy of Elias's book, a New York Times Bestseller, This Dog Will Change Your Life. Tickets are available here.

About NAPHIA and NAPHIA Engage

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is the trade association for the pet health insurance industry in the United States and Canada. NAPHIA's mission is to collectively drive growth and acceptance of pet insurance through public and industry education, shared resources, collaboration, transparency, and partnerships that support pets, pet parents, and animal health professionals.

NAPHIA Engage is a biannual conference that brings together leaders across the pet insurance ecosystem to explore industry trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of pet health insurance in the United States and Canada.

About The Dogist

Instant New York Times bestselling author, photographer, creative director, and producer Elias Weiss Friedman is the creator of the wildly successful online platform, The Dogist, with more than 11 million followers across social platforms. More than a decade and over 50,000 dogs later, Elias has redefined dog portraiture through his singular style of humanizing his subjects and illuminating their true essence. He serves as an official photographer for both Westminster and the Super Bowl's beloved counterpart, the Puppy Bowl. Elias's photo documentary style and sense of humor have made The Dogist a phenomenon, cultivated a devoted following amongst dog lovers everywhere, and even some notable public figures, including President Joe Biden, Serena Williams, Alec Baldwin, Jon Stewart, Marc Jacobs.

His work has been featured in The New York Times, New Yorker, Vogue, People, Wall Street Journal, Time, and The Washington Post, as well as on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, The View, and both CBS Saturday and CBS News Sunday Morning. He's also collaborated with a variety of brands, including Airbnb, Tesla, Four Seasons, Petco, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, to bring their creative visions to life through strategic partnerships and empowering brand campaigns.

Outside of his work photographing dogs, he is also an advocate for them, working with incredible philanthropic organizations such as Puppies Behind Bars, National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, the ASPCA, Guide Dog Foundation, Canine Companions for Independence, and many more. He's also recently relaunched The Dogist Fund as a tax-deductible nonprofit organization in partnership with GoFundMe, dedicated to improving the lives of dogs everywhere and committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the well-being of dogs in need and humans in need of dogs.

Friedman is the author of the instant New York Times bestsellers The Dogist: Photographic Encounters with 1,000 Dogs. His first narrative book, This Dog Will Change Your Life, released on June 3rd, 2025, at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and is an instant international bestseller. He recently completed his "Dog Nation: An Evening with The Dogist," a nine-city national tour with Live Nation featuring special guests and their four-legged best friends, as well as inspiring stories from local Dogist fans whose dogs have changed their lives. His one-man show, The Dogist Live, is in workshops across a variety of venues across the tri-state area, with each evening putting a spotlight on unforgettable stories from dog lovers across the country. This fall, The Dogist launched his new series, DOGS with Elias Weiss Friedman, a digital-first talk show starring Elias Weiss Friedman, The Dogist, featuring doggable conversations with celebrity guests. Together, they go on an adventure dog-spotting across New York City's parks and sidewalks in search of the city's cutest, friendliest and most interesting dogs—and uncover the human stories behind them. Some of DOGS' past guests include: Ariana Greenblatt, Jane Goodall, Roy Wood Jr., Shailene Woodley, Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Chris Rock, Rufus Wainwright, and Bryce Dallas Howard. DOGS episodes launch weekly on YouTube @TheDogist.