Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) Works with Partners
to Increase Access to Pets for Mental Health
WASHINGTON, May 23, 2024
/PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Human Animal Bond Research Institute
(HABRI) hosted its first-ever Spring Policy Forum focused on Mental
Health and Companion Animals, convening leaders in the pet care
community and partners in the mental health space to move society
toward more widespread awareness of the important role of companion
animals for improved mental health.
We found that not only is pet ownership
incredibly important for so many people, but also that more than
three quarters of those living with a disability want to work with
a mental health professional who incorporates pets in their
practice.
The Policy Forum program featured presentations addressing
research, practice, and policies associated with this important
topic and delivered by expert speakers from a wide array of
disciplines. Speakers included Susan
Trachman, MD, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist who talked
about the role of pet ownership in supporting mental health and
Mental Health America (MHA) and HABRI unveiled results of a survey
of 4,000 MHA constituents on the care and resource-related needs of
those impacted by mental health related to companion animals.
The MHA-HABRI survey found that pet owners overwhelmingly report
positive health benefits resulting from their pet, that there is
great interest and need for resources related to pets and mental
health, and that this is particularly true among those living with
a mental or physical disability:
- 98% of pet owners report at least one health benefit resulting
from their pet, including reduced feelings of loneliness (73%),
providing comfort (73%) and a source of happiness (79%)
- 71% of respondents (76% of those with a disability) are
interested in working with a mental health professional who
incorporates pets or animal-assisted interventions (AAI) into their
practice
- Those with a disability are more likely to say they are
interested in pets to support their mental health (79%) compared to
those without a disability (50%)
- 93% of respondents agree there should be more support for pet
ownership and AAIs in society
"Mental Health America is proud to partner with HABRI to bring
forward new data from our constituency on the experiences, benefits
and challenges related to pets and mental health," said
America Paredes, PhD. "We found that
not only is pet ownership incredibly important for so many people,
but also that more than three quarters of those living with a
disability want to work with a mental health professional who
incorporates pets in their practice. Our survey showed that it is
hard to find reliable information about pets and mental health,
revealing a great need for resources and information related to
pets and animal-assisted interventions."
"HABRI is proud to bring together a diverse group of leaders in
mental health, veterinary medicine, research, animal-assisted
interventions, pet care, and public policy to elevate the
conversation about pets and mental health," said Steven Feldman, President of HABRI. "Armed with
research, new insights, model practices and policy considerations,
HABRI's goal is to drive the conversation on how best to support
pet ownership and the human-animal bond for a healthier
society."
HABRI's Spring Policy Forum is sponsored by leading pet care and
animal health companies and organizations; American Pet Products
Association (APPA), Petco Love, Mars Petcare, American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA) and whiskerDocs.
"Policy Forum sponsors and all of HABRI's partners are committed
to supporting better mental health for pet owners, veterinarians
and everyone who can benefit from the research-backed benefits of
the human-animal bond," Feldman added.
For more information, please visit
http://www.habri.org/policy-forum. Images available upon
request.
About HABRI
HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative
scientific research to document the health benefits of companion
animals; educates the public about human-animal bond research; and
advocates for the beneficial role of companion animals in society.
For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.
Media Contact
Hayley Maynard, Human Animal Bond
Research Institute, (614) 532-5279, Hayley@inspireprgroup.com,
www.HABRI.org
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SOURCE Human Animal Bond Research Institute