(PRESS RELEASE) WASHINGTON, DC – The Human Animal Bond Research Institute announced that Pet Partners, an organization focusing on animal-assisted interventions, will donate $100,000 to fund research on the health, education and wellness outcomes of therapy animals, for both the people and animals involved. This announcement is a supplement to HABRI’s 2019 Request for Proposals, open now through Feb. 7, 2019.
“Pet Partners recognizes the importance of developing scientific findings that further demonstrate the benefits to health and well-being associated with the human-animal bond,” said Annie Peters, president and CEO of Pet Partners. “Together, Pet Partners and HABRI will expand our knowledge, allowing more people to experience the benefits of high-quality therapy animal programs.”
In order to be eligible for this funding, investigators must incorporate registered Pet Partners volunteer therapy animal teams into their proposed research. As part of the organization’s registration process, all Pet Partners therapy animal teams must meet certain standards in the areas of patient and public safety and outstanding animal welfare.
“Pet Partners programs are the gold standard for animal-assisted interventions, which will lend themselves to greater consistency and accuracy for research purposes,” said Steven Feldman, HABRI executive director. “We are grateful to Pet Partners for their leadership, generosity, and commitment to high standards.”
In addition to funding provided by Pet Partners, researchers can apply for other HABRI grants to investigate the health and wellness outcomes of pet ownership and animal-assisted activity. Proposals should have a strong theoretical framework and take an innovative approach to assess the effect of companion animals on humans within the categories of child health and development, healthy aging and mental and physical wellness.
For more information on HABRI funding opportunities and the award application process, visit www.habri.org/grants/funding-opportunities.