The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) seeks to highlight and support the essential role of companion animals in human health and wellness. HABRI champions the universal acceptance of the human-animal bond as a vital component of human well-being, focusing on its impact on individual, family, and community health.
HABRI's grant program aims to fund research that explores the health outcomes of pet ownership and animal-assisted activities or therapies for both humans and animals. Research proposals are invited within key areas including Child Health and Development, Healthy Aging, and Mental & Physical Health and Wellness. The grants encourage addressing broad societal issues such as social isolation, mental health crises like addiction and PTSD, obesity, and heart health, with a particular interest in the effects of companion animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Successful proposals must have a strong theoretical basis, innovative research approaches, and the potential to significantly impact how health conditions are understood or treated. Studies on the interaction between humans and various pets, including but not limited to dogs, cats, small animals, and horses, are welcomed. Rigorous ethical standards and necessary IRB/IACUC approvals are required for all funded research.