ANNOUNCING THE 2024 HUMAN ANIMAL BOND INNOVATION AWARD WINNERS

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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, empathy, and friendship. Sesame Workshop launched a preschool-focused, digital series – Best Friends Fur-ever – about a 4-year-old girl, Julia, with autism and her pet dog Rose, and how they support one another’s physical and emotional needs. Sesame Workshop has also hosted webinars for people to learn about the science of the human-animal bond with leading researchers in the field, specifically about how animal-assisted interventions can support autistic children’s well-being.

Pet-Inclusive Culture Category: Kimpton Hotels

Pets are welcome at more than 76 Kimpton Hotels locations in 55 cities around the world. In 1992, Kimpton became the first hotel company to introduce a brand-wide pet-friendly policy. The standard pet policy welcomes two pets of any size for no additional fee. Bill Kimpton, the hotel’s founder, would bring his dog Chianti to work with him, and today there are even honorary dog staff across select Kimpton hotels. These Directors of Pet Relations greet guests in the lobby and quality test the pet amenities, which include pet beds, water bowls, and food. Some benefits for pet owners include a concierge list of nearby pet-friendly restaurants, parks, groomers and pet boutiques and complimentary access to Wag! Premium during the stay, which connects dog owners to professional pet caregivers in the area.

The Pet-Inclusive Culture category is sponsored by Nestlé Purina.

Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure Category: Tybee Island Police Department

The Tybee Island (Georgia) Police Department partnered with Humane Society for Greater Savannah to help adoptable pets. This new program, “K9 for a Day”, selects dogs – and some cats – to spend the day with Tybee Island police officers. The adoptable pets ride in patrol cars and have meet & greets in the community. Every pet that has participated has been adopted or found a foster home – many times on the same day they join the patrol. The program has tremendous support from the entire department and the community. It serves as a model for community partnerships for other law enforcement agencies and animal welfare organizations that constantly need creative ideas to help shelter animals find homes.

“PetSmart Charities is proud to again be the Presenting Sponsor for the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards to celebrate the human-animal bond and how this relationship is being supported and honored across communities,” said Aimee Gilbreath, President of PetSmart Charities and Vice Chair of the HABRI Board of Trustees. “This year’s winners safeguard and enhance the relationship between pets and people in unique, innovative ways and we hope to inspire others through recognizing and sharing their important work.”

“HABRI is grateful to Presenting Sponsor: PetSmart Charities; Category Sponsors: Purina and Zoetis; and Supporting Sponsor, the World Pet Association,” said HABRI President Steven Feldman. “These organizations have not only made the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards possible, but they have also demonstrated a strong and enduring commitment to the human-animal bond.”

For more information about these winners and the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards, please visit www.habri.org/hab-innovation-awards

About HABRI

HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative scientific research to document the health benefits of companion animals; educates the public about human-animal bond research; and advocates for the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.

Contact

Hayley Maynard

Hayley@inspireprgroup.com

614.701.8205

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Press Releases

Policy Forum Highlights Data on the Vital Role of Pets for Better Mental Health

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) hosted its first-ever Spring Policy Forum focused on Mental Health and Companion Animals, convening leaders in the pet care community and partners in the mental health space to move society toward more widespread awareness of the important role of companion animals for improved mental health. The Policy Forum program featured presentations addressing research, practice, and policies associated with this important topic and delivered by expert speakers from a wide array of disciplines. Speakers included Susan Trachman, MD, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who talked about the role of pet ownership in supporting mental health and Mental Health America (MHA) and HABRI unveiled results of a survey of 4,000 MHA constituents on the care and resource-related needs of those impacted by mental health related to companion animals. The MHA-HABRI survey found that pet owners overwhelmingly report positive health benefits resulting from their pet, that there is great interest and need for resources related to pets and mental health, and that this is particularly true among those living with a mental or physical disability: 98% of pet owners report at least one health benefit resulting from their pet, including reduced feelings of loneliness (73%), providing comfort (73%) and a source of happiness (79%) 71% of respondents (76% of those with a disability) are interested in working with a mental health professional who incorporates pets or animal-assisted interventions (AAI) into their practice Those with a disability are more likely to say they are interested in pets to support their mental health (79%) compared to those without a disability (50%) 93% of respondents agree there should be more support for pet ownership and AAIs in society “Mental Health America is proud to partner with HABRI to bring forward new data from our constituency on the experiences, benefits and challenges related to pets and mental health,” said America...

Press Releases

Amazon Sponsors the Human Animal Bond Research Institute

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today that Amazon, a pet-friendly company and supplier of pet products, has become an official sponsor of HABRI and its research on the human health benefits of companion animals. “Amazon’s support for HABRI and human-animal bond research demonstrates its commitment to the values of great pet care and the importance of pets in our lives,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director of HABRI. “Amazon helps make it easy for us to care for our pets and, in turn, our pets contribute to our health and wellness.” Amazon customers can explore popular pet products, enjoy pet care tips, and create a profile for their pet in order to receive personalized recommendations and coupons. In addition to offering customers a wide selection of pet food, treats, toys, tech and more, Amazon has been dog-friendly since Day 1 at its Seattle headquarters where employees share their workspace with as many as 6,000 pupazonians each day. Scientific evidence increasingly shows that pets improve humans’ heart health; alleviate depression; increase well-being; support child health and educational development; and contribute to healthy aging. New research also shows that pet-supportive workplaces boost employee attraction, engagement and retention. When employers support pet owners, employees are more likely to feel highly connected to their company’s mission, become more fully engaged with their work and are more willing to recommend their employer to others. Additionally, employees at pet friendly workplaces are 52% more likely to report a positive working relationship with their boss and 53% more likely to report a positive working relationship with their co-workers, compared to just 14% and 19% among those in non-pet friendly environments. “Science demonstrates that pet-inclusive work environments help boost morale and encourage a culture of healthy collaboration and teamwork,” Feldman added. “Amazon is a leading pet-friendly...

Press Releases

Pet Night Brings the Power of Pets to Capitol Hill

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the Pet Food Institute (PFI) and the Pet Advocacy Network co-hosted Pet Night on Capitol Hill for the first time since the pandemic began, celebrating the important role pets play in our lives. Pet Night brought together Members of Congress and leaders in the pet care community to share programs, policies, and key data about how the human-animal bond positively impacts our mental, physical and social health. “The pet care community is thrilled to be back in person to share the power of pets with Congress,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “Pet Night on Capitol Hill shares the message that pets have a measurable impact on our health and well-being, and that there are tangible measures policymakers can take to support pets and their owners.” Plenty of pets were in attendance, including Pet Partners therapy animal-handler teams; Trumpet the Westminster Best in Show Winner, provided by Purina; and Biscuit, the Washington Capitals service dog in training, provided by Mars Petcare. “It was exciting to once again meet face-to-face with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to advocate for positive pet policies, then finish the day with a celebration of all that pets bring to our lives,” said Pet Advocacy Network President and CEO Mike Bober. “We are committed today and every day to helping all Americans find and care for their ideal companions and experience the incredible benefits of pet ownership and animal-assisted interactions.” The Animal Health Institute (AHI) honored the winners of the Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, now in its fourteenth year, recognizing the most adorable animals owned by Members of Congress and their staff. Cutest Dog: Louis Owner: Alyssa Gulick Office of Rep. Bill Johnson (OH-6) Cutest Cat: Kit Owner: Jesse Ferguson Office of Rep. Mike Flood (NE-1) Cutest Exotic: Charlie (horse) Owner: Gray Maxwell Office of Senator Ben Cardin (MD) “The human-animal bond keeps getting...