Synchrony and The Human Animal Bond Research Institute Form Strategic Alliance to Champion the Human-Animal Bond

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==

Results of a just-published study led by researchers at The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute and funded by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) demonstrate that young children from dog-owning households are less likely to experience difficulties with their emotions and social interactions compared to children in households without a pet dog. The study was published in the journal Pediatric Research. “Our research found that having a family dog in the household was positively associated with young children’s social-emotional development,” said Dr. Hayley Christian, Associate Professor at The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute and Principal Investigator of the study. “Our research also supports spending time walking and playing with the dog for added benefits, and we hope these results will help parents, children and pets remain active at home during this time of physical distancing.” “Findings of this study demonstrate that, starting from a young age, the human-animal bond can play an important role in a child’s social and emotional development,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director of HABRI. “HABRI is proud to support this important research, which will encourage more families to consider the benefits of dog ownership and more dog-owning families to spend quality time with their beloved pets.” The team of researchers at The University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute, led by Dr. Christian, collected survey data from 1,646 households, taking into account children’s age, biological sex, sleep habits, screen time and parents’ education levels. Findings indicate that dog ownership is associated with improvements in wellbeing and social-emotional development in children. Specifically, in comparison to children in non-dog-owning households, children from dog-owning households were 23 percent less likely to have difficulties with their emotions and social interactions...

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced today that the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has made a $25,000 contribution to support research on the benefits of the human-animal bond for people and pets. “PFI is proud to support HABRI, whose important research on the health benefits of pet ownership advances our collective awareness about the significant role pets play in our lives,” said Cathleen Enright, PhD, President & CEO, Pet Food Institute. “As the voice for U.S. pet food and treat makers, PFI and our members understand and celebrate the special bond between humans and pets.” “For the nearly 150 million dogs and cats in the U.S., health and wellbeing starts with sound nutrition and safe food,” said Steven Feldman, Executive Director of HABRI. “Research shows that healthy pets make healthy pet-owners, and HABRI is proud to have the support of PFI, an organization committed to supporting long and healthy lives for pets.” HABRI has assembled a growing body of scientific evidence showing that pets improve heart health; alleviate depression; increase well-being; support child health and development; and contribute to healthy aging. In addition, companion animals can assist in the treatment of a broad range of conditions from post-traumatic stress to Alzheimer’s disease to autism spectrum disorder. The benefits of the human-animal bond can be found at both ends of the leash. Findings from a recently-published HABRI survey of 2,000 pet owners demonstrate that the more they know about the scientific research on the human-animal bond the more likely they are to take better care of their pets, including providing pets with higher-quality nutrition and keeping up with visits to the veterinarian. “Spreading awareness of the health benefits of pet ownership improves pet health and welfare,” Feldman added. “PFI and its member companies are great partners to share this message.” PFI, whose members make up 98 percent of all U.S. pet food...