Pets have played an important role in our lives throughout the pandemic, and this stronger human-animal bond is predicted to change how we live and work in the future. As people return to the office and worry about leaving their pets behind, the demand for more pet-friendly workplaces will rise. According to a recent poll, 72% of c-suite level executives expect more workplaces will be pet-friendly after the COVID-19 pandemic, and 6 in 10 companies plan to be more flexible in a post-pandemic world. Please consider sharing this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and families to raise awareness of how the science-backed benefits of pet-friendly workplaces show that this is a smart decision for employers.

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...

April is Autism Awareness Month. Research demonstrates that the human-animal bond can confer many health benefits for children on the autism spectrum, and for their families too! Whether it is a trained service dog or a guinea pig, there is scientific evidence supporting the positive influence of human-animal interaction (HAI) on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More HABRI-funded research is underway, but here is a rundown of some of the things we know so far: Addressing Loneliness One of the most common characteristics of children on the autism spectrum is difficulty socializing with others and forming connections, and as a result, many children with ASD face social isolation and loneliness. Research suggests that a connection with a companion animal can both reduce loneliness and provide needed companionship in children with autism.[1] When researchers survey children who have strong human-animal bonds, the fundamentally nonjudgmental nature of pets and their unconditional love are often cited reasons for this meaningful companionship. Improving Social Behavior Pets can facilitate new social connections in children with ASD, as pets can often reduce barriers to initiating...

First published on PetMD May 2nd, 2024 You’ve likely heard that pets can boost your mental and physical well-being, but did you know there’s a growing body of scientific evidence to support this? The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is dedicated to exploring this connection. Here’s one trend being driven by this scientific research: Pets are shedding their “just nice to have” label and instead being recognized as integral to our overall health, especially mental health. More than 1 in 5 U.S. pet owners surveyed have had a pet recommended by a doctor or therapist, and they are increasingly welcomed in the places we live, work, and play. It’s a pet revolution—and for good reason. How Pets Help Shape Our Mental and Physical Well-Being Doctors are recommending more time with pets, small pets are being incorporated into school curriculums, and even workplaces like Chewy are embracing furry coworkers. Why the shift? Here are four good reasons, according to research. Pets Reduce Feelings of Loneliness The COVID-19 pandemic undeniably heightened feelings of isolation and loneliness. But the truth is, loneliness was a social epidemic even...

April is Autism Awareness Month, and HABRI is taking this opportunity to raise awareness of the many scientifically-documented ways the human-animal bond can benefit individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  Research shows that pets in the home can improve prosocial behaviors in children with ASD by providing companionship, unconditional love, and improved mental health[1]. Evidence also supports the incorporation of animals into educational and classroom settings as beneficial for improving social skills and behavior in children with ASD[2].   While research predominantly focuses on the impact of dog ownership and interaction for this population, scientific evidence, including recently published results from HABRI-funded research, shows that individuals with ASD can benefit from owning and interacting with other types of animals as well.   Cats  The calmer, quieter temperament of a pet cat may be beneficial for a child with Autism. The Feline Friends Study, placed temperament-screened shelter cats with families of children with ASD to study children’s social behavior and attachment to the cat. Findings demonstrate that children with an...

Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in life and affects how a person acts and interacts with others, communicates, and learns. Individuals with Autism may be challenged by social communication and repetitive behaviors, and anxiety. Autism is a highly individualized developmental disability, and everyone with autism experiences it differently, which is why autism is known as a spectrum disorder. Approximately 1 in 44 children has been identified with Autism[1]. For Autism Awareness Month, HABRI is highlighting the special ways that dogs can benefit people with Autism. A growing body of research demonstrates that interaction with dogs can positively impact individuals with Autism, particularly for improved communication, mental health, and classroom learning. Dogs Help Develop Communication Skills Research shows children with autism who have a pet dog or service dog perform better in social situations, including expressing more assertiveness[2], and exhibiting increased prosocial behaviors like sharing and empathy[3]. Both parents and children included in this research report that children feel strongly bonded to the dog[4]. HABRI-funded research...