The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is proud to present the Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards. These awards recognize companies and organizations with innovative products and programs designed to advance the human-animal bond and create a more pet-friendly society.
This year’s Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards were presented in three categories: Products and Services, Workplace and Culture, and Public Service.
The 2022 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners are:
Product & Service Category
Health Alliance Medical Plans
Health Alliance Medical Plans offers health insurance plans across multiple states in the Midwest region of the United States. As of January 2022, Health Alliance Medical Plans became the first human insurance company to provide fully-paid access to 24-hour veterinary telehealth for 30,000 Medicare Advantage plan members in three regional offerings.
Workplace & Culture Category
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association’s Best Friend Fridays campaign is part of the Association’s Healthy Bond for LifeTM initiative to raise awareness about the physical and mental health benefits of pet companionship. Each Friday throughout the summer, American Heart Association employees are encouraged to talk about their pets, share photos, welcome pets on video calls, take breaks with their pets, and more, all with the goal of normalizing pet ownership and pet-friendly workplaces. As a way to spread the message far and wide, the American Heart Association provides valuable resources for companies and organizations to implement their own workplace Best Friend Fridays.
Public Service Category
Pet Peace of Mind
Pet Peace of Mind is the only national program providing a care model for the pets of seriously ill patients in hospice, including helping pets find a loving new home when necessary. Pet Peace of Mind’s program trains hospices to support each patient’s pet care needs in practical ways by deploying trained local volunteers. Each year, Pet Peace of Mind programs serve more than 3,500 patients and meet the needs of 4,000 pets across the United States, responding to an essential need for this type of support.
Presenting Sponsor
Products & Services Sponsor
Workplace & Culture Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
Nominations were selected by an expert committee of pet care community leaders assembled by HABRI. Winners were honored at a special awards ceremony held in conjunction with the annual SuperZoo show in Las Vegas.
You can read more about the amazing work of these organizations here.
