During natural disasters, when many turn to their pets for comfort and support, it is also important to recognize that pets are themselves incredibly vulnerable. Resources allocated to helping pets threatened by disasters are often scarce. When pets are in danger so are their owners, which is why it is so important for the pet care community to be organized and ready to provide help. The Pet Giving Network is made possible through a partnership with the Greater Good Charities, and has made a real difference in times of crisis. In 2017, dozens of pet care companies rallied together to provide food, supplies and medicine to rescue organizations, evacuation facilities and pet owners in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. This immense effort demonstrated the pet care community’s ability to unite and work together on important issues that affect the health and well-being of companion animals, people and communities. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is honored to take on the task of managing the Pet Giving Network. We are especially grateful for the World Pet Association (WPA), American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA)...

How can pets add years to our lives? A range of factors are widely considered determinants of longer life and healthy aging in people, from regular physical activity to social connectedness and so much more. Scientific research, including HABRI-funded research, has demonstrated that the human-animal bond can positively influence the emotional, psychological, and physical health and wellbeing of people, in ways such as increasing physical activity, lowering blood pressure, and improving social connectedness. Many such benefits contribute to a longer, healthier life. The following is a collection of research supporting the ways pet ownership contributes to longevity. Physical Activity Maintaining good physical health through regular exercise is a well-documented way to facilitate healthy aging. Moderate physical activity 2-3 times per week has been associated with a reduced risk of death by as much as 28 percent, according to longitudinal study of approximately 9,000 Swedish adults aged 60-96 years[1]. Research has shown that pet owners, particularly dog owners, are more likely to meet the recommended amount of physical activity through walking. One study that examined new dog owners...

  Are you a veterinary professional in need of CE hours to close out the year? Do you want to find a way to connect with your clients and your purpose? There’s a way to do both, and it’s getting Human-Animal Bond Certified. For International Human-Animal Bond Day this November 8th, sign up and receive a discounted price of $129.00. Why get Human-Animal Bond Certified? Human-Animal Bond Certified is the only continuing education course solely dedicated to helping veterinary professionals learn and communicate the science of the human-animal bond. As keepers of the human-animal bond, there is no better authority to communicate the science supporting health benefits of the bond than veterinarians and their dedicated teams. The veterinary clinic is already the most important source of information on pet health, and it only takes a short conversation to also make them the key source of information on the human-animal bond. Why is this important? Research from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) demonstrates that with increased knowledge of the science behind the human-animal bond, pet owners are more likely to invest time and resources in the health and wellness of...

HAI Research Update from HABRI It has been a year of progress in the field of human-animal interaction (HAI) research. In 2019, HABRI funded five new research grants, increasing HABRI’s total to 31 competitively-awarded research projects and $3 million in total research funding. In addition, a number of studies published this year continued to build the evidence base connecting human-animal interaction and companion animal ownership to improved human health and well-being. As we enter the new year, we wanted to share the attached compilation of research publications from 2019, as well as a brief overview of the most recent HABRI grants. If you have any questions about any specific research projects, regardless of whether or not it is a HABRI-funded study, we encourage you to contact us. New HABRI-Funded Research Projects In 2019, HABRI funded a total of five new grant projects, summarized below. These new studies will examine the influence of pet ownership, animal-assisted therapy, service dogs, and dog-walking on various aspects of physical and mental health of children, adolescents and their families. With the funding of these five grants, HABRI has now funded a...

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...

While this Thanksgiving holiday is quite different for so many, one thing we can be thankful for is the human-animal bond. Pets have been a bright spot during the pandemic, and research conducted since the onset of the pandemic suggests that the human-animal bond is helping support the health and wellness of people and pets in important ways.   To help raise awareness of the benefits of pets during these difficult times, HABRI created the following shareable infographic. Please consider sharing this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and family. Giving thanks to our pets is more than a holiday tradition this year; it is a recognition of the growing importance of the human-animal bond. However you celebrate this year, HABRI wishes everyone a happy, healthy, and safe holiday. References 1.    APPA Pulse Survey Volume 1 2.    Survey Research conducted by Phyllis Erdman, College of Education, Washington State University, and a team of collaborators from Colorado State University, the University of San Francisco and Palo Alto University 3.    McNicholas, June. “The role of pets in the lives of older...