Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)

This past weekend at the AVMA Convention, HABRI honored Dr. Mike McFarland as he retires from his post as Chief Medical Officer at Zoetis. His passion for the human-animal bond and his commitment to advancing scientific research have left an indelible mark on HABRI and the field of veterinary medicine. As a HABRI founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. McFarland has been an inspiring force, and we are grateful for his visionary leadership.

Career opportunity in the field of human-animal bond research: Mars is looking to hire a Senior Research Scientist in Human Animal Interaction. This position would work on-site at the Waltham Petcare Science Institute in Waltham on the Wolds, Leicestershire, helping to develop Mars' Global Human-Animal Interaction Research Program and deepen our understanding of the relationship between people and pets. Ideally, candidates will have a focus on how pets may impact human mental health and wellbeing. Anyone interested in applying can read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebbmuGQ8

Pet-friendly policies are highly in-demand, and research demonstrates the benefits they can introduce for pet loving employees. HABRI wants to help workplaces embrace pet-friendly policies, even when pets in the office aren’t an option. We created the "10 Ways to be a Pet-Friendly Workplace” infographic to help businesses find creative ways to help their pet owning employees. Please share this infographic for #TakeYourPetToWorkWeek and help us spread the joy of pets at work! https://lnkd.in/gnrFQw_8

HABRI is so grateful for the leadership of Dr. Mike McFarland, who co-founded our organization nearly 15 years ago. Mike's passionate commitment to the bond we share with animals was instrumental in shaping HABRI's mission to promote the vital role of the human-animal bond in the health and well-being of people, pets, cultures and communities.     Congratulations to Dr. McFarland on your well-deserved retirement! You will always be welcome at HABRI as we continue our work to ensure a healthy future for pets, people and all who care for them.     Please read more from Dr. Mike McFarland on HABRI's work and vision for the future: 

HABRI is proud to announce funding for a new research project that will explore the benefits, challenges, and social support structures cancer survivors encounter in caring for their pets.  During National Cancer Survivors Month this June, please help us raise awareness of the research which indicates that companion animals offer emotional support and connection for cancer survivors, as well as the critical gaps in knowledge about the physical and emotional benefits, and the day-to-day challenges pet ownership may create for cancer survivors.  In this new study, researchers at Colorado State University will identify if and how pets serve as emotional support and/or stressors for cancer survivors, and how support systems can enhance their ability to care for their pets. The findings will be published as a website with practical resources and guides to support cancer survivors and help them clearly communicate their unique pet care needs to their medical and veterinary providers. Understanding and protecting the bond during challenging times is an important area of human-animal bond research, and HABRI is proud to support this impactful project. Read more about this new grant: https://lnkd.in/eQbXXxEu

Celebrate this year's winners of the 2024 Pets and Housing Awards! Join us tomorrow, June 12, when Michelson Found Animals Foundation presents the 2024 Pets and Housing Awards in honor of the impressive efforts made by multifamily industry leaders in pet-inclusive housing. Register to join us virtually using the following link, and learn more from Judy Bellack with Found Animals in the video below. Good luck to all of the nominees! bit.ly/pet-awards-2024

HABRI is proud to partner with OnePack by PetPartners Pet Insurance to survey HR professionals for insight into the importance of pet-friendly workplace policies for employee mental health and wellbeing. Read more on the PetPartners website:

Pet Assistance Linking Support, or PALS, is a first-of-its-kind organization in Cleveland Ohio providing support to older adults with pets so they can remain together.  “Helping pets is helping people,” said Jessica Bibbo, senior research scientist at Benjamin Rose and Britton’s partner in training the PALS volunteers. HABRI is proud to see that PALS was built on Dr. Bibbo’s research. You can read more about a research grant HABRI awarded to Dr. Bibbo to study the benefits and challenges faced by older adult pet owners here: https://lnkd.in/eeggc4fJ Read more about PALS:  https://lnkd.in/g5ZgRTQe 

HABRI was honored to have Susan B Trachman MD speak at last week's Spring Policy Forum. Dr. Trachman, a board-certified psychiatrist in adult and forensic psychiatry and an associate professor at George Washington University and assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth, presented an overview on the research demonstrating how pet ownership can improve mental health and avert loneliness. Read more from Dr. Trachman about this presentation on the human-animal bond and mental health: https://lnkd.in/ecEq9G6X 

#ICYMI - Petco Love Lost's new short film, My Ruff Day, helps raise awareness of how to keep people and pets together when pets go missing. Watch and share My Ruff Day now from Petco Love: