Virtual Pet Week on Capitol Hill Celebrates Pets during Pandemic

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) lauded the passage of H.R. 1448, the Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, which was signed into law by President Biden yesterday. The PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program and authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses. “HABRI is proud to have funded key scientific research demonstrating the efficacy of service dogs as a complimentary therapy for veterans with PTSD,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has documented that PTSD affects more than 15 percent of post 9-11 war veteransi. With an alarming 17 suicides per dayii, addressing the mental health of veterans is an urgent crisis. With the support of the pet care community, HABRI funded the first pilot study investigating the efficacy of service dogs as a complementary, therapeutic intervention for veterans with PTSD. Results of this study, conducted by Dr. Maggie O’Haire and team at Purdue University, indicate that veterans with a service dog exhibited significantly lower overall PTSD symptom severity, including increased overall psychological well-being; a better ability to cope with flashbacks and anxiety attacks; a lower frequency of nightmares and less overall sleep disturbance; lower overall anxiety, depression, and anger; higher levels of companionship and social reintegration; and lower levels of social isolationiii. Participants of this first-of-its-kind study were recruited from a database of individuals provided by K9s for Warriors. “The results of our research consistently showed that on average, veterans with service dogs had lower PTSD symptom severity,” said Maggie O’Haire, PhD, Associate Professor...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today a new research project to determine the effects of an equine-assisted therapy (EAT) program on the lives of older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The study, How does 8 weeks of equine-assisted therapy affect older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?, led by researchers from the Texas Woman’s University School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology, will compare bradykinesia severity and functional outcomes before and after 8 weeks of EAT in adults with PD, and characterize the resulting human-animal interaction “While research studies examining the physiological benefits of horseback riding have been conducted before, there is a lack of published research regarding the physical adaptations of EAT in adults with PD,” said the study’s Principal Investigator, B. Rhett Rigby, PhD, Texas Woman’s University. “We hope that the results of this study will further the efficacy of EAT as a novel treatment modality for this population, and lead to a more widespread acceptance by healthcare practitioners.” Thirty men diagnosed with PD, aged 40 to 80 years, will be recruited and randomly assigned into two groups. Fifteen participants will complete eight weeks of EAT, and fifteen participants will complete a similar protocol on a horseback riding simulator. The EAT intervention will contain 17 total sessions across a period of eight weeks, and a licensed physical therapist will oversee and conduct all EAT sessions. A similar protocol will be in place for the simulated riding session. Preliminary data in the form of two pilot studies suggest that an improvement in postural sway and balance is present after both EAT and simulated riding in older adults with balance deficits. The study will seek to determine if these adaptions will lead to improvements with other hallmark features of PD pathophysiology, including bradykinesia, posture, balance, and gait. Researchers expect that individuals...

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...