The Institute for Human-Animal Connection’s study on social stressors found evidence to support the hypothesis that the presence of a pet dog can assist in a healthy stress response. This study was the first of its kind to test levels on multiple physiological systems, allowing us to come to the presumption that dogs may be able to support a balanced, intermediate stress response. Instead of just reducing the stress response, a dog can actually help to maintain regular stress levels.
A continuing education certificate program like IHAC’s Animals and Human Health certificate can be a useful steppingstone before committing to a graduate degree program. Sarah Szuchman completed the AHH certificate in early 2025 prior to starting her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work. Sarah has had a lifelong passion for animals and the AHH certificate helped Sarah to see what could be possible with human-animal interactions in a professional setting.
2024 was another big year at IHAC. We continue to be a leading education and research organization focused on how human-animal-environment interactions affect individual and community health from our social work framework. We’re presenting a few highlights from this year as we look toward 2025. We invite you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn so you can keep track of the many opportunities to connect with our team. I also invite you to support us through a tax-deductible donation to our education scholarships or research program. All of us at IHAC wish you a great 2025!
Emi Parente graduated from the Institute for Human-Animal Connection’s Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist (CAIS) certificate program in early 2024. Emi is the founder and current CEO of Programa Alice Terapia Assistida Educacional in Brazil, where she often utilizes her knowledge gained from CAIS. Her organization focuses on expanding education and the understanding of health and wellness as it relates to the human-animal bond.
In recognition of their national and international reputations and impact, GSSW’s Butler Institute for Families and Institute for Human–Animal Connection have been designated as DU Research Institutes.
It has been another great year for IHAC’s educational programs or IHACPro! Our educational opportunities exist to provide education and training in human-animal-environment interactions for professionals working in various human service fields with a strong emphasis on ethics and animal well-being. Since starting with our initial certificate, Animals and Human Health, in 2005, our vast alumni network now includes over 1000 graduates from 30 countries and 6 continents across our programs.
Research at the University of Denver’s Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) uses innovative approaches to answer seminal questions in the human-animal-environment interactions field. Across its research portfolios in youth development, trauma, and animals & communities, IHAC’s unique research informs practitioners, communities, and the field at large.
Andrea Sierra graduated from our Animals and Human Health (AHH) certificate program in 2022. She is now a clinical supervisor at The Crossroads Inc., in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the largest non-profit residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment programs in the United States. At Crossroads, she utilized the knowledge she gained in AHH to assist her in implementing a human-animal interaction program that incorporates psychoeducational topics, such as communication skills, trust building, trauma, and mindfulness.
