PetSmart Joins HABRI Board of Trustees

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Pet Giving Network has issued a call for critical supplies in support of the Hurricane Helene & Hurricane Milton disaster relief efforts. The Pet Giving Network Action Alert requests supplies from pet care companies and organizations that are in critical demand in the affected communities.   “Pets are family, and in times of crisis, they need our help as much as people do,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. “HABRI is proud to manage the Pet Giving Network, a lifeline providing communities with vital resources to care for animals and their owners in need and is grateful for the American Pet Products Association (APPA), World Pet Association (WPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) and their members for a strong and longstanding commitment to this important effort.”  “The American Pet Products Association is dedicated to supporting the Pet Giving Network and to helping unite our membership and respond to disasters in the most efficient and effective way,” said Julia Fidenzio-Alicea, Chief Legal Officer, American Pet Products Association (APPA).   With active natural disasters, the Pet Giving Network is stepping up to ensure that pets across the country receive the critical support they need during emergencies. The Pet Giving Network is a collaboration between HABRI and Greater Good Charities, a non-profit organization that works to provide in-kind supplies, donations and programmatic support to those in need. The Pet Giving Network connects pet product companies, non-profit organizations, and shelters to provide essential supplies, such as food, bedding, and medical care, to animals affected by natural disasters.  When hurricanes, floods, and wildfires strike, animal shelters can quickly become overwhelmed, leaving vulnerable pets in urgent need. The Pet Giving Network bridges the gap by facilitating donations from companies in the pet care community and distributing...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and IDEXX today hosted a virtual lecture during Autism Awareness Month, focusing on new research demonstrating the impact of shelter cat adoption on the social skills and anxiety levels in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This lecture titled, “The Impact of Shelter Cat Adoption in Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder”, features Dr. Gretchen Carlisle, Research Scientist, Research Center for Human Animal Interaction (ReCHAI), University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, discussing her HABRI-funded publication, “Exploratory study of cat adoption in families of children with autism: Impact on children’s social skills and anxiety”, which found that found introduction of a shelter cat into the home may have a positive impact on children with ASD and their parents. Results from Dr. Carlisle’s project were published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing in December 2020. This was the first randomized controlled trial of adoption of a temperament-screened shelter cat by families of children with ASD. This exploratory study found that introduction of a cat into the home may have a positive impact on children with ASD, including greater Empathy and less Separation Anxiety for children with ASD, along with fewer problem behaviors including Externalizing, Bullying and Hyperactivity/Inattention. The children and their parents reported close bonds with their new cats almost immediately after adoption, and despite the cat caretaking responsibility, these bonds did not decrease over time. “These research results show that children with autism and their families can benefit from the calmer, quieter demeanor of a pet cat,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “HABRI and IDEXX hope that together, we can help raise awareness of the health benefits of pet cats and help more cats find loving homes.” Professionals who viewed this session live are eligible to receive RACE-approved...

The Human Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) today announced it has awarded a $40,000 grant to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for a study titled Physiological Wellness Effects of Animal-Assisted Activities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Specialized Psychiatric Hospital Program. This study will examine the influence of animal-assisted activities on the mental health and wellness of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is hypothesized that children will demonstrate lower physiological arousal when in the presence of dogs. “Anecdotal reports of animal-assisted activities have observed such benefits as decreased anxiety-related behaviors as well as increases in social interactions, language, and safety awareness [in children with ASD],” said Dr. Robin Gabriels, PsyD, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. “But we are in need of more research on how canines specifically, can be helpful to this population. It is our hope that our pilot project will provide preliminary evidence to validate the observed benefits and increase understanding of the mechanisms underlying this positive effect.” The two-year crossover study will examine participants during a standard 20-minute social skills group, with 10 minutes of free interaction in the presence of a dog and 10 minutes in the presence of engaging toys. Using specialized wristbands to measure physiological arousal, researchers will compare the levels conducted within the two sessions. “With high-quality scientific research, HABRI can make animal-assisted therapy a valuable addition to the treatments available for people with autism spectrum disorder,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director of HABRI. “There is a growing body of scientific evidence that companion animals are important to human health. This research will ultimately help...