New Scientific Results: Asking Patients About Pets Enhances Patient Communication and Care

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), along with leading organizations in the pet care community presented Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) with the “Human Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award” at Pet Night on Capitol Hill. Pet Night paid special tribute to Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) with the “Human-Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award” to recognize his dedication to animal health and the human-animal bond. Throughout his impressive career, Congressman Schrader, currently the only veterinarian in Congress, was instrumental in developing legislation to safeguard the integrated health of people and companion animals. “Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve been proud to champion the important benefits pets bring to our lives, and the vital role veterinary medicine plays in safeguarding public health,” said Representative Schrader. “It was my honor to receive the Human-Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award. I hope to inspire my colleagues and others to continue to support policies and legislation that advance the health of people and their pets.” The Human Animal Bond Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Congressman Schrader by HABRI, the American Pet Products Association (APPA), American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Animal Health Institute (AHI), American Kennel Club (AKC), Cat Fanciers’ Association, North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), Pet Advocacy Network and the World Pet Association (WPA). “On behalf of the entire pet care community, we are incredibly grateful for the dedication of Congressman Schrader and his staff to animal health and the human-animal bond,” said Steven Feldman, President, HABRI. “Through supporting legislation like the One Health Act that serves to protect the health of animals and humans, Representative Schrader has helped share the message with Congress that that pets play an important role in our health and...

 The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Pet Partners announced today a grant to Indiana University School of Medicine for a new research project, Canine-assisted anxiety reduction in pediatric emergency care (CANINE III). The study will investigate the impact of therapy dog visits on the anxiety levels of children in emergency care.   “Registered Pet Partners therapy dog teams visit hospitals throughout the country, and we know they can put a smile on a child’s face, no matter what they are going through,” said C. Annie Peters, President and CEO of Pet Partners. “Scientific research to validate the efficacy of therapy dogs in the emergency room has the potential to not only provide more children with much needed comfort and emotional support, but to also help serve as a complementary intervention to improve medical outcomes.”  “Virtually all children experience some degree of psychological stress as patients in the emergency department,” says the Principal Investigator, Jeffrey Kline, MD, IU School of Medicine “The inclusion of therapy dog visits in addition to a child-life specialist could provide a low cost, low risk method to help reduce child and parental anxiety in the emergency department.”   CANINE III is a NCT-registered, two-arm, block randomized trial with one to one matching of patients receiving therapy dogs as an adjunct with a child life specialist, compared with children who receive child life specialists alone. The children will receive a 15-minute visit, with the research team periodically collecting saliva samples to test for cortisol levels, or the level of stress. Dr. Kline will complete this project alongside co-investigator Alan Beck, PhD, Purdue University. The study will also test if therapy dogs afford greater anxiety reduction in children with psychiatric complaints, autism spectrum disorder, or brain injury, versus children with none of those conditions.   All...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is proud to announce an insightful panel discussion, “The Last Goodbye: The Impact of the Human-Animal Bond on End-of-Life Care Experiences and Outcomes” happening at VMX this Tuesday, January 28th, made possible through its educational partnership with IDEXX. Featuring leading experts in euthanasia, end-of-life care and veterinary oncology, the session will focus on the importance of protecting and preserving the human-animal bond during the end of a pet’s life, and ways veterinary teams can support better outcomes related to end-of-life decision-making. The panel, comprising Dr. Kathleen Cooney, Senior Director of Medical Education of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA); Dr. Dani McVety-Leinen, Founder & former CEO of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice; and Dr. Dana Connell, veterinary oncologist and Global Medical Affairs Specialist at IDEXX, will highlight how the human-animal bond can significantly influence the emotional and psychological aspects of euthanasia. These distinguished panelists bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the discussion and will offer practical advice for veterinary professionals on how best to approach the subject of end-of-life in a way that is proactive and respectful of the human-animal bond. “HABRI is proud to advance understanding and awareness of the role of the human-animal bond in veterinary medicine, including for end-of-life care,” said Steve Feldman, president of HABRI. “By bringing together experts in the field, we aim to equip veterinary professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to better serve pet owners and their beloved companions.” The panel will be held on Tuesday, January 28th from 10:50am – 11:40am in the Orange County Convention Center South, Room S210B. Those in attendance will be eligible for one hour of CE credit. For more information and to add this panel to your schedule, please visit https://connect.navc.com/event/vmx-2025-2/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjQ3MTgyMA==