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...

This blog post was first published as an opinion by Steven Feldman in CQ Roll Call. View the original page here. Capitol Police officers pet a therapy dog near the House carriage entrance in July. We’ve gone from seeing pets as just “fun” to recognizing their help in addressing mental health, medical conditions and social connection, Feldman writes. (Caroline Brehman/CQ Roll Call file photo) Many Americans have come to appreciate the power of the human-animal bond through meaningful personal experiences with their pets over the past year and half. The comfort and companionship pets have provided during the pandemic is supported by solid scientific research demonstrating that pets improve our health and well-being. Now is the time to rely on that research and envision policies and programs that recognize pet ownership as a public health strategy. We’ve progressed from a sense that pets are just “fun” to recognizing that pets support positive changes in mental health, address significant medical conditions and promote social connection. Studies even show that pets have the power to lower the cost of health care and strengthen the social fabric of towns...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Pet Partners are funding a new scientific research project, awarding $69,841 to Sharmaine Miller, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow currently conducting research at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, titled the “Minority Pet Owner Health (MPOH) Project.” The study will investigate whether pet ownership is associated with improved health outcomes of racial and ethnic minority pet owners. According to the research proposal, “People who are racial and ethnic minorities face heightened health, financial, and social adversities (e.g., racism and discrimination), and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a major player in exacerbating and highlighting these injustices. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of pet ownership on minority self-perceived physical and mental health.” “Pet Partners prides itself on creating more accessible programs so that we can deliver hope and healing to diverse communities across the country,” said Pet Partners President & CEO, C. Annie Peters. “We are proud to co-fund this innovative research, which will help address the issue of health equity and disparities by providing...

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.

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)...

To help us raise awareness of the health benefits of the human-animal bond with Spanish and Chinese speaking pet owners, we’ve translated the ‘Top 5 Benefits of the Human-Animal Bond’ infographic into Spanish and Mandarin! Download the English language infographic here. Download the Spanish language infographic here. Download the Mandarin Chinese 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: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */ 中文 – 五大益处 人与动物关 English...