Institute for Human-Animal Connection
The well-being of humans, other species, and the environment are deeply interconnected, from thoughtful human-animal interactions to global biodiversity. Through research focused on mental health and equity and accessible education, the Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) elevates the value of the living world and the interrelationship of humans, other species and the environment.
Guided by our commitment to social justice, ethics, and cultural responsiveness—and a belief in the power of systemic change—we drive improvements in human-animal-environment interactions. We collaborate and share our expertise with our Colorado community and worldwide, knowing that when we promote healthy human-animal-environment relationships, we improve outcomes for all.
What's New at IHAC
October 16
Join IHAC as we host Dr. Megan Mueller for a speaker event!
How do companion animal relationships contribute to our scientific understanding of what goes right in the lives of youth? Join the Institute for Human-Animal Connection as Dr. Mueller discusses how her research program takes a developmental science perspective to understanding the role of human-animal interactions in promoting positive youth development and optimizing relationships between people and the animals that share our lives. We would love to have you join us in-person for this event (refreshments provided)! A Zoom option will be available for remote participants.
- 11 AM to 12:30 PM Mountain Time
- Community Room 120, Craig Hall, at the University of Denver
New Publication Announcement
Our amazing research team has a new publication out! It is titled, “The Presence of a Pet Dog Is Associated with a More Balanced Response to a Social Stressor.”
In this randomized control study, we examined whether a pet dog’s presence influenced healthy adults’ acute stress response by looking at self-reports, heart rate, and other biological factors such as plasma cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase. Our findings revealed that participants with their pet dogs had significantly lower heart rates, lower plasma cortisol responses, and higher salivary alpha-amylase responses than people without their dogs, indicating that the presence of a pet dog may support a healthy stress response. This study is the FIRST to suggest that dogs may support a balanced, intermediate stress response capacity.
Join Our Self-Paced Orientation to Human-Animal Interactions Course!
IHACPro's Orientation to Human-Animal Interactions professional development course is a great starting place for students to gain an introduction to the variety of applications and research in this field. It is completely self-paced, and contains five modules worth of content that includes examinations of how human-animal interactions can be incorporated into micro, mezzo, and macro career fields, the power of the human-animal bond, terminology, and practical applications.
All IHACPro offerings are consistently updated to feature the latest research in the field to ensure you are receiving the most updated best practices and science-backed concepts. Join us today! No application necessary.
Research into Human-Animal Relationships
We are working to improve the well-being of humans, animals, and the environment through rigorous research and scholarship focused on mental health and equity. Our research aims to understand how interactions with other species and the environment affect individual and community health and well-being, and provides new insights into the relationships between humans, animals, and the environment we share.
IHAC Research
HAIs and Mental Health
This area of our research seeks to understand how interactions with other species affect people’s mental health.
Learn MoreHAIs and Equity
This area of our research seeks to understand inequity experienced by individuals and families who live with companion animals.
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IHAC Education
Our professional development programs, or IHACPro, focus on helping professionals increase their understanding of animal behavior and human-animal-environment interactions, as well as enhancing their practice working in partnership with animals. We center ethics and animal welfare in all of our educational programs, including professional development certificates, courses, webinars, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) Human-Animal-Environment Interaction certificate.
IHACPro Offerings
Animals and Human Health Certificate
The Animals and Human Health Certificate focuses on human-animal interactions, activities, learning, and applications, including how to create and implement high-quality interaction programs.
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Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist Certificate
The Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist program provides competency-based training for human-animal interaction professionals seeking to improve their knowledge and skills working with dogs.
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Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate
The Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner program provides the education, training, and supervision necessary for ethical applications in therapy practice integrating equines.
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Equine Behavior Course
The Equine Behavior course teaches how the behavior of horses relates to their care, healthy development, and overall welfare and needs with a focus on human-horse interactions.
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Orientation to Human-Animal Interactions Course
The Orientation to Human-Animal Interactions course introduces the connection between humans and animals and looks at micro, mezzo, and macro career applications in this field.
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Human-Animal-Environment Interaction Certificate
Our human-animal-environment interactions in social work (HAEI-SW) master’s certificate, earned in tandem with a master of social work (MSW), is the first of its kind in the nation and explores social justice from the perspective of humans, animals, and the environment.
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Learn more about our professional development certificate programs.
Our Global Impact
30+ Graduate students participate in IHAC research projects yearly.
140 MSW students trained on human-animal-environment interactions annually.
1,000+ People from six continents have participated in IHACPro courses and certificates.