A healthy heart is essential for good health at any age. Research suggests that pet ownership and human-animal interaction (HAI) can lead to improved heart health through supporting a healthy lifestyle, preventing heart disease, and facilitating healing following a cardiovascular event. To help raise awareness during Heart Health Month this February, HABRI created a new, shareable infographic on the powerful relationship between pet ownership and heart health. Please consider sharing this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and families in celebration of the many ways in which pets contribute to healthy hearts.

Scene from The Woofice June 19-23 is National Take Your Pet to Work Week! An increasing number of people want to work in a pet-friendly environment, and employers are recognizing the importance of offering pet-oriented benefits to their employees. The presence of pets in the office has been shown to improve psychological well-being and life satisfaction among working adults[1], in addition to improving productivity[2] and cooperation[3] between employees. A study conducted by Nationwide in partnership with HABRI further reveals that pet-inclusive workplaces boost recruitment, increase engagement, improve presenteeism, and raise retention rates for employees. While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to welcoming pets in the workplace, introducing pets at work should involve thoughtful planning and a comprehensive framework. The pet care community is leading the way in implementing pet-friendly workplaces and offering guidelines and best practices to ensure pet-friendly policies work for everyone while protecting the health and well-being of all. While we love to celebrate Take Your Pet to Work Week, there are many ways employers can demonstrate that they care about pets, even...

Ask any pet owner and they’ll agree, pets enrich our lives. Did you know? There’s scientific research that supports the human-animal bond – or the mutually beneficial relationship between people and pets – for a happier, healthier life. HABRI has created this new infographic highlighting the benefits of a healthy relationship with a pet. 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 with your colleagues, friends and family to help us strengthen the human-animal bond for all! References Allen, K., Blascovich, J., & Mendes, W. B. (2002). Cardiovascular reactivity and the presence of pets, friends, and spouses: The truth about cats and dogs. Psychosomatic medicine, 64(5), 727-739. Janevic, M., Solway, E., Malani, P., Kirch, M., Kullgren, J., & Connell, C. (2019). National Poll on Healthy Aging: How pets contribute to healthy aging. Brooks, H., Rushton, K., Walker, S., Lovell, K., & Rogers, A. (2016). Ontological...

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)...

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...

May is Mental Health Month. According to HABRI’s survey of pet owners, the majority of pet owners have personal experience with the health benefits of pets: 74% of pet owners reported mental health improvements from pet ownership 75% of pet owners reported a friend’s or family member’s mental health has improved from pet ownership The scientific research that supports the human-animal bond – or the mutually beneficial relationship between people and pets – for better mental health indicates that pets can make a difference for those facing mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress. HABRI, in partnership with Mental Health America, has created this new infographic highlighting the mental health benefits of a healthy relationship with a pet. HABRI hopes that in sharing this far and wide throughout Mental Health Month, 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 support and relief from mental health conditions. Please consider posting this infographic on your social media channels, websites and with your colleagues, friends and family to...