Nominations Open for Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards

Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Honors:   CancerCare Public Service Category Meals on Wheels America Public Service Category Sesame Workshop Media Category  Kimpton Hotels Pet-Inclusive Culture Category Tybee Island Police Department Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure Category   The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced the winners of its annual Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, which recognize companies and organizations with innovative products and programs designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society. The 2024 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners are:   Public Service Category: CancerCare CancerCare’s Pet Assistance and Wellness (PAW) program helps people diagnosed with cancer stay together with their beloved pet by providing financial assistance for pet-related expenses, such as pet food, vet visits, pet sitting and boarding. The PAW Program was launched in 2020 and has given over 3,700 financial assistance grants to date.   Public Service Category: Meals on Wheels America Meals on Wheels bridges human services and animal welfare to ease the challenges of pet ownership and preserve the human-animal bond. What started as small programs providing ad hoc support has grown to be robust and multi-faceted programs encompassing an array of services, including pet food and supply deliveries, access to veterinary care, grooming, emergency boarding, and dog walking. The organization has also released national research findings to the public to raise awareness among new audiences about the prevalence of social isolation and the effectiveness of pet programs as a solution The Public Service category is sponsored by Zoetis.   Media Category: Sesame Workshop Sesame Workshop believes that children often have special relationships with animals. Whether it’s a family pet or a stuffed animal, furry friends can provide kids an avenue for learning new skills, while growing in self-confidence,...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today it has awarded a $52,204 grant to the University of Missouri for a new study, Shelter Cat Adoption in Families of Children with Autism: Impact on Children’s Social Skills and Anxiety as well as Cat Stress. This study will examine the effect of the introduction of a shelter cat on social skills and anxiety in children with autism, and on stress levels for the cats themselves. “Preliminary research demonstrates the effectiveness of companion animal interaction on alleviating social skills deficits and anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD),” said the study’s Principal Investigator, Gretchen Carlisle, PhD, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri. “While many studies have focused on the impact of dogs on children with ASD, this study aims to determine the beneficial impacts of a pet cat on children with autism and their families, as the temperament and the ease of care for cats compared to other animals may increase the likelihood of a positive outcome for the children, the cats and the family as a whole.” In addition to HABRI’s grant award, the PIs have also received funding from the Winn Feline Foundation in the amount of $25,000. The combined funding from Winn Feline and HABRI have enabled the PIs to expand the sample size and add the support of a statistician, which will greatly enhance the power of the study and hopefully result in more definitive and robust findings. “Winn Feline Foundation is thrilled to have initially supported this important study on the human-cat bond and to hear of HABRI’s grant award. Their additional support will strengthen the study’s findings”, commented Winn’s Executive Director Dr. Vicki Thayer. “This significant project evaluating the effects and benefits of adoption of cats by children and families with ASD fits our mission and values”. Using a two-group, randomized, repeated measures design with a delayed treatment...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today issued a new report, The Role of Companion Animals for Improved Mental Health, focused on providing data, insights and best practices to move society towards more widespread awareness and implementation of policies and programs that elevate the role of pets for improved mental health. “By prioritizing research, fostering partnerships, advancing best practices, and advocating for pet-inclusive policies, we can unlock the full potential of the human-animal bond to improve mental health outcomes for everyone,” said Steven Feldman, president of HABRI. The positive impact of the human-animal bond for mental well-being has been validated through decades of scientific research. Building on this foundation, the HABRI Spring Policy Forum sought to uncover the practical implications of these findings, examining successful programs, practices and resources that harness the human-animal bond for improved mental health outcomes. The Report provides a synopsis of the expert presentations made by professionals across a wide array of disciplines, including mental health, animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), veterinary medicine, social work, housing and public policy. A key finding is that the lack of access to affordable, pet-friendly housing poses a significant barrier to pet ownership for many. During the Policy Forum, the Enforcement Division of Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, shared insights on how the agency plays a key role in implementing regulations related to service and assistance animals in public housing, ensuring that individuals with these animals are protected from discrimination. Important legislation, the People and Animals Wellbeing (PAW) Act, was presented by the bill’s lead sponsor, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), with the goal of keeping people and pets together by making veterinary care more affordable for pets and service...