Independence Pet Group Joins with HABRI to Champion the Human-Animal Bond | HABRI

Independence Pet Group Joins with HABRI to Champion the Human-Animal Bond

Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2022) — The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today that Independence Pet Group (IPG) has become an official supporter of HABRI and its scientific research on the mutually-beneficial relationship between people and companion animals.

“Independence Pet Group’s mission is to strengthen the unique bond between pets and their people through our innovative products and services,” said David Kettig, CEO of IPG. “We are excited to work with HABRI to further our common goals.”

Scientific research demonstrates that having pets in our lives can lead to better physical and mental health for people of all ages. Importantly, the more pet owners learn about scientific research on the benefits of the human-animal bond, the more likely they are to take positive action including better pet care and more regular veterinary visits.

“HABRI is grateful for the support of Independence Pet Group, which is dedicated to helping pets and their owners with its lineup of products and services, including pet insurance, enabling pet owners to get access to quality veterinary care. IPG’s brands also work to support a more pet-friendly society through its Dogs At Work program and by working with companies of all sizes to provide pet insurance to their employees,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI.

According to HABRI research, pet-friendly companies are better able to attract, retain, and engage employees, as well as showing care and concern for both employee and pet health. More than ninety percent of employees who work for pet-friendly companies feel their employer supports their physical health and mental wellbeing, significantly more than companies that do not have policies that accommodate pets.

“Independence Pet Group looks forward to joining forces with HABRI to champion the human-animal bond across all aspects of society,” added Kettig. “At IPG, we know just how important the human-animal bond is and we want to help elevate the world’s understanding of pets and how to care for them.”

About Independence Pet Group

Independence Pet Group, Inc. (“IPG”) is an integrated, full-stack pet insurance platform. It offers a comprehensive range of underwriting options, turnkey partner solutions, and consumer-facing insurance products through its wholly owned subsidiary, Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a leading provider of underwriting services to the pet insurance sector licensed in all 50 states. Its subsidiary, Pet Partners, Inc., distributes and administers IAIC policies through world-class pet insurance brands AKC Pet Insurance and its group pet  brand, PetPartners. Also part of the IPG family are Figo Pet Insurance LLC, a leading direct-to-consumer brand which utilizes a highly engaging and mobile friendly Pet Cloud that allows consumers to manage their pet’s healthcare, socially engage with fellow pet parents, and easily discover and locate services within the pet ecosystem; and Third Party Pet (a marketing name owned by Pawsitive Solutions, LLC), providing business services to breeders, pet retailers and their customers ranging from live pet inventory management software, scheduling and facilitating adoptions, micro-chip and registration services and customized pet products. https://www.independencepetgroup.com/

About The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is a not-for-profit organization that maintains the world’s largest online library of human-animal bond research and information; funds innovative research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of companion animals; and informs the public about human-animal bond research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society. For more information about the HABRI Foundation, please visit www.habri.org.

Contact

Hayley Maynard

Hayley@inspireprgroup.com

614.701.8205

Amanda Trcka

atrcka@petpartners.com

203.231.9975

###

Press Releases
Ernie Els Pet Products Joins with HABRI to Champion Research on Autism and the Human-Animal Bond

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and Ernie Els Pet Products today announced a partnership to advance their shared goal of strengthening the human-animal bond. This collaboration will have a special focus on the vital role of the human-animal bond in helping children with autism. “At Ernie Els Pet Products, we are dedicated to creating a world where the companionship we share with our pets helps foster a more compassionate and inclusive society,” stated Mark Segal, CEO of Ernie Els Pet Products. “This vision drives our dedication to improving the lives of pets and people with high-quality products that prioritize health while benefiting the autism community. Through our partnership with HABRI, we will be able to communicate the science behind the human-animal bond with our customers and help advance important research to benefit children with autism.” Research shows that pets can have a profound benefit for children with autism, including increased social interaction and improved social skills and behaviors. A HABRI-funded study also found significantly improved family harmony for families with a child with autism that had a dog compared to those without.[1] “HABRI is grateful for the support of Ernie Els Pet Products, a company with a clear mission to empower pet owners to become champions for change and strengthen the human-animal bond,” said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. [1] The Long-Term Benefits of Dog Ownership in Families with Children with Autism

Press Releases
Pets Bring Joy and Health Benefits to People Staying at Home Around the World; Now Two Organizations are Teaming up to Share the Science and Research Behind This

As millions of pet owners around the world are staying at home during the COVID-19 crisis, many are discovering the benefits of sharing more time with their pets. Research into simple acts like walking a dog or petting a cat continues to demonstrate what many pet owners around the planet have long understood: spending time with pets can provide a wide range of benefits to people, from improved mood and reduced stress, to decreased loneliness and even lower blood pressure. Now, two not-for-profit organizations are teaming up to help amplify and promote the global science and research insights behind the benefits of living with pets. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) based in Washington, D.C., and the Global Alliance of Pet Food Associations (GAPFA) based in Brussels, Belgium, are working together to promote their on-line libraries of scientific research. Both organizations and their members have spent years aggregating scientific knowledge and information examining how pets and people are beneficial for each other. These learnings span many age groups, cultures and geographies and are posted on their respective websites, www.habri.org and www.gapfa.org. Key resources include information on the physical and mental benefits of pets for children, adults, and older people. “Pets make our lives better in so many ways, and this is true anywhere around the world,” said GAPFA President David Corley. “Pets give so much to us, and it is our responsibility to ensure we are providing the best nutrition to enable them to be at their best. GAPFA represents 13 national and regional pet food industry associations and three international pet food manufacturers, and we are pleased to join with HABRI to highlight the special companionship and significant health benefits that pets bring to our lives, especially in times like these.” “As people practice social distancing and stay home, they are increasingly turning to pets for comfort, joy and companionship,” said...

HABRI