With the help of our supporters and partners, HABRI was able to continue to advance scientific research and share the message of the importance of the human-animal bond throughout this tumultuous year. We felt like it was important to compile our ‘year in review’ and reflect on all that we were able to accomplish together in 2020, and to express our gratitude to the leading companies and organizations that make HABRI’s efforts possible.   The following is a brief overview of HABRI’s programs, initiatives and important milestones reached in the past year:   Supporting Scientific Research on the Human-Animal Bond  5 New Research Projects Funded in 2020  In 2020, HABRI funded five innovative research projects exploring the benefits of the human-animal bond for child health and development, healthy aging, mental health and wellness and chronic health conditions.  Canine-assisted anxiety reduction in pediatric emergency care (CANINE III) (Indiana University)   Can interaction with a therapy dog as an adjunct to a child life specialist reduce anxiety in children in the emergency room (ED)?  Anxiety, stress and “threat perceptions” are major negative...

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.

It’s Take Your Pet to Work Week! Research shows that pet-friendly workplaces boost employee satisfaction, productivity and collaboration. Pet-friendly companies are also better able to attract, engage and retain employees. This is true even if pets aren’t physically permitted in the office every day. HABRI has compiled the following ways employers can demonstrate they are pet-friendly that go beyond allowing pets at work. Take Your Pet to Work Week is the perfect opportunity to raise these conversations with your employees, co-workers, and supervisors. These policies and best practices can help provide inspiration and guidance for how organizations can become pet inclusive. 

In the context of the last two challenging years, it has become abundantly clear how essential pets are in our lives. Not only are pet owners spending more time with their pets, but they are also reporting their pets are making positive contributions to their mental health. In fact, a recent survey shows that 87% of pet owners say they have experienced mental health improvements resulting from pet ownership. Sixty-four percent of pet owners have had a conversation with someone in the last year about the health benefits of owning a pet, including discussions with co-workers, friends and family. Twenty-two percent of pet owners, more than one-in-five, have had a pet recommended for their health by a doctor or therapist, indicating that pets are increasingly acknowledged by mental health professionals as important sources of social and emotional support. In support of Mental Health America and its important work to support good mental health for all Americans, the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) has compiled data and information to demonstrate how pets support healthy habits and boost our mental health and wellness. Exercise It’s no secret that incorporating regular exercise...

May is Mental Health Month. One in five Americans will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year, and one in 25 Americans lives with a serious mental illness. Today, people are facing a mental health crisis brought on by the pandemic, from the difficulties of being quarantined at home to experiencing job loss and economic uncertainty. In the face of these challenges, it is clear that pets can have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. Scientific research has found that human-animal interaction (HAI) can help reduce anxiety, depression, and loneliness. The Physiology of the Human-Animal Bond HAI has been shown to influence blood pressure, heart rate, and hormones correlated with well-being including oxytocin, b-endorphin, prolactin, phenylacetic acid and dopamine, all of which play a role in regulating mental health. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide long known to promote maternal care in mammals. Oxytocin causes many physiological changes, including slowing heart rate and breathing, lowering blood pressure, inhibiting stress hormones, and creating a sense of calm. Research demonstrates that human-animal interaction increases oxytocin levels in the brain.[1] Beyond...

Mental health is important for all of us. Research demonstrates how interactions with pets can play an important role in stress management, social support, exercise, and the development of good coping skills – essential strategies for maintaining good mental health. In celebration of Mental Health Month this May, HABRI and Mental Health America are working to raise awareness of the science that shows how the human-animal bond can support healthy habits that boost our mental health. Please consider sharing this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and families to raise awareness of how pets can improve mental health and wellbeing. Click to Download