Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Awards Grant for New Study to Examine Therapy Dog Impact on Pediatric Echocardiograms

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced funding for a new research project at Thompson Rivers University that will explore the role of companion animals (pets) within incidents of intimate partner violence (IPV), including how pets can contribute to the wellbeing of IPV survivors. “Despite a well-established link between IPV and animal abuse, little research has examined the specific impact of pets on IPV,” explained Dr. Rochelle Stevenson, lead investigator for the study. With co-investigators Dr. Allison Gray (Western University) and Dr. Patti Timmons Fritz (University of Windsor), Stevenson offered that “our research will document that pets are victims in their own right as well as important partners in the healing journey of human survivors.” This multi-method study will use data from the 2018 Statistics Canada administered Survey on Safety in Public and Private Spaces (SSPPS), a nationally representative sample of Canadian adults, to understand how the experience of animal abuse, which often co-occurs with IPV, relates to survivors’ health and wellbeing. The analysis of this data will be paired with interviews with survivors to explore how companion animals influence help-seeking and healing from violence. Existing data shows that the majority of IPV survivors report pet abuse or the threat of pet abuse. Despite this, only a small percentage of domestic violence shelters offer on-site pet services. Without the ability to leave with their pets, as many as half of these survivors will delay leaving violent situations, putting themselves—and their pets—at further risk. “Our goal is to use these findings to encourage more domestic violence shelters and services to embrace pet-friendly measures that will allow survivors of IPV and their pets to heal together,” added Stevenson. “HABRI is proud to fund research with real-world impact,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “This project will provide new, timely data in...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and IDEXX today hosted Dr. Katharine Watson MA, BVMS, discussing her active HABRI-funded study on the association of pet ownership, the gut microbiome, and cardiovascular disease risk among older adults. This is the fifth virtual lecture in the IDEXX Human-Animal Bond Lecture Series, which focuses on new research exploring the influence of pet ownership on human health. Dr. Watson, a small animal veterinarian and epidemiology doctoral student in the Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at Indiana University, School of Public Health, is working to determine whether living with a cat or dog is associated with a richer and more diverse gut microbiome in older adults and whether this, in turn, may mediate reduced prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). “HABRI is grateful for IDEXX for making this lecture possible and for supporting this important research, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of human-animal interaction,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. “Much of the science on the physical health benefits of pets involve the association between pet ownership and physical activity. This research is exciting because it has the potential to shed light on new, physiological underpinnings of the human-animal bond – the relationship between pet ownership, the microbiome and heart health.” The human microbiota is made up of trillions of cells, with the biggest populations residing in the gut. Research has shown the human microbiome is important for our nutrition and immunity to disease, including CVD, through dynamic interactions with the host and environment. More than 20% of inter-person microbiota differences have been found to be related to demographic or environmental factors, and the degree to which pet ownership influences the composition of the gut microbiota in adults is largely unknown. Veterinary professionals who viewed this session live are eligible to...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) today announced that Petzey, a leading on-demand mobile pet telehealth and wellness app, has become an official supporter of HABRI and its scientific research on the symbiotic relationship between people and companion animals. This collaboration is poised to advance scientific study and educate the public on this valuable relationship. “Joining forces with HABRI aligns seamlessly with Petzey’s vision of revolutionizing pet care through our comprehensive virtual network of veterinary professionals,” stated Mike Ortega, CEO of Petzey. “We’re not just committed to transforming the way we care for our pets; we’re dedicated to fostering joy and wellbeing. This partnership amplifies our commitment to supporting the family unit as a whole, recognizing that pets are an integral part of our lives and emotional health. Together with HABRI, we’re excited to embark on this journey, reinforcing the human-animal bond.” HABRI research has found a strong correlation between knowledge of the science of the human-animal bond and positive action when it comes to pet care. Pet owners across the board are increasingly aware of the health benefits of owning a pet. As a result, they feel an increased sense of commitment and are more inclined to take extra steps that benefit their pet’s overall well-being. HABRI survey research also shows an increasing usage and interest in veterinary telemedicine, with 22% of pet owners saying that they had had a virtual appointment and 30% saying they intended to use veterinary telemedicine in the future.[1] “HABRI is grateful for the support of Petzey, a company with a clear mission to keep our pets healthy and the human-animal bond strong,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. Through this synergistic partnership, Petzey and HABRI will elevate the importance of pet-centric healthcare innovation while advocating for the recognition of the emotional, psychological, and...