May is Mental Health Month. One in five Americans will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year, and one in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness. Today, people are facing a mental health crisis brought on by the pandemic, from the difficulties of being quarantined at home to experiencing job loss and economic uncertainty. In the face of these challenges, it is clear that pets can have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Scientific research has found that human-animal interaction (HAI) can help reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The Physiology of the Human-Animal Bond HAI has been shown to influence blood pressure, heart rate, and hormones correlated with well-being including oxytocin, b-endorphin, prolactin, phenylacetic acid and dopamine, all of which play a role in regulating mental health. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide long known to promote maternal care in mammals. Oxytocin causes many physiological changes, including slowing heart rate and breathing, lowering blood pressure, inhibiting stress hormones, and creating a sense of calm. Research demonstrates that human-animal interaction increases oxytocin levels in the brain.[1] Beyond...

With the help of our supporters and partners, HABRI was able to continue to advance scientific research and share the message of the importance of the human-animal bond throughout this tumultuous year. We felt like it was important to compile our ‘year in review’ and reflect on all that we were able to accomplish together in 2020, and to express our gratitude to the leading companies and organizations that make HABRI’s efforts possible.   The following is a brief overview of HABRI’s programs, initiatives and important milestones reached in the past year:   Supporting Scientific Research on the Human-Animal Bond  5 New Research Projects Funded in 2020  In 2020, HABRI funded five innovative research projects exploring the benefits of the human-animal bond for child health and development, healthy aging, mental health and wellness and chronic health conditions.  Canine-assisted anxiety reduction in pediatric emergency care (CANINE III) (Indiana University)   Can interaction with a therapy dog as an adjunct to a child life specialist reduce anxiety in children in the emergency room (ED)?  Anxiety, stress and “threat perceptions” are major negative...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Pet Partners are funding a new scientific research project, awarding $69,841 to Sharmaine Miller, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow currently conducting research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, titled the “Minority Pet Owner Health (MPOH) Project.” The study will investigate whether pet ownership is associated with improved health outcomes of racial and ethnic minority pet owners. According to the research proposal, “People who are racial and ethnic minorities face heightened health, financial, and social adversities (e.g., racism and discrimination), and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major player in exacerbating and highlighting these injustices. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of pet ownership on minority self-perceived physical and mental health.” “Pet Partners prides itself on creating more accessible programs so that we can deliver hope and healing to diverse communities across the country,” said Pet Partners President & CEO, C. Annie Peters. “We are proud to co-fund this innovative research, which will help address the issue of health equity and disparities by providing...

Today is World Autism Awareness Day, and HABRI has created the following shareable infographic to raise awareness of the recently published HABRI-funded research, the Feline Friends study, which highlights the benefits of adoption of temperament-screened shelter cats for families of children with autism. Pets are common in families of children with autism, and previous research has demonstrated the benefits of interaction with dogs and small animals on individuals with autism, but little was known about cat ownership, until now. Please consider sharing this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and families in celebration of the many ways in which the human-animal bond can make a positive difference in the lives of people with autism!

September is Happy, Healthy Cat Month. Founded by the CATalyst Council, this month is an opportunity to celebrate the roles of the feline companions in our lives and take action to improve their well-being. Scientific research demonstrates there are many health benefits of cat ownership for people of all ages. In honor and celebration of Happy, Healthy Cat Month, HABRI created this new infographic highlighting the health benefits of cat ownership. HABRI hopes that in sharing this far and wide, we can raise awareness of all cats can do to improve the lives of their owners and inspire more people to ensure their pet cats’ health needs are met. . Please consider posting this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and family to help us strengthen the human-cat bond! References Wegienka, G., Johnson, C. C., Havstad, S., Ownby, D. R., Nicholas, C., & Zoratti, E. M. (2011). Lifetime dog and cat exposure and dog‐and cat‐specific sensitization at age 18 years. Clinical & experimental allergy, 41(7), 979-986. Stokholm, J., Chawes, B. L., Vissing, N., Bønnelykke, K., & Bisgaard, H. (2018). Cat exposure in early life decreases...

As part of a campaign to raise awareness of the health benefits of the human-animal bond with pet owners from across the world, we’ve translated the ‘Top 5 Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond’ infographic into French and German!   Download the French language infographic here. Download the German language infographic here.   HABRI hopes that in sharing this far and wide, we can encourage people to take care of their pets and remind them that in good times and in bad, our companion animals can be wonderful sources of comfort, joy and support. Please consider posting this infographic on your social media channels, websites and share with your colleagues, friends and family to help us strengthen the human-animal bond for all!   #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 50%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ Français – 5 PRINCIPAUX BÉNÉFICES associés à la compagnie d’un animal Deutsch...