The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) is advancing awareness and understanding of the interrelationships among people, other animals and the environment. Keep up with the latest news about IHAC and our work related to human-animal-environment interactions.
What's New at IHAC
April 30
Speaker Event: Drivers of Outcomes in Animal Control Enforcement
Join us virtually or in-person to hear from the Institute for Human-Animal Connection's researchers Liana Moss and Kaleigh O'Reilly!
They will present findings from their portfolio of research that aims to understand current U.S. animal control policies and practices. This portfolio includes qualitative and quantitative studies on how animal control engages with the communities they serve. Highlighting our first-of-its-kind study of over 1 million animal control cases with national representation, this seminar will highlight the inextricable intersection of animal control, access to veterinary care issues, systemic racial bias in differential enforcement, and the urgent need to address these disparities collectively as a field.
Have you been wondering what it would mean to incorporate an animal into your work? Check out our Animals and Human Health certificate program! Throughout three online courses and a final capstone session, you will build up your expertise and skills around human-animal interactions and develop your own plan for how to implement your vision. In our program, you will have the opportunity to tailor your learning to your specific interests.
The Pets for Life as One Health study was the FIRST to explore how access to pet supportive care affects community-wide health within the One Health framework. While the COVID-19 pandemic complicated data collection and analysis across this four-year research study, pre-pandemic findings support the ability of access to care programming, focused on the human-animal bond component of the One Health Triad, to positively affect perceptions of overall community health in an urban setting.
Macie Dominique, a 2017 graduate of IHACPro’s Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate (EAMH), completely shifted her professional path after realizing her passion involved integrating animals into her professional work. In both of her professional settings, her therapeutic work is supported with equine, canine, and farm animal interactions.
Since 2005, the Institute for Human-Animal Connection has been committed to providing high-quality, flexible education to professionals incorporating animals into therapy, education, and beyond. 2022 was another successful year with exciting milestones and growth!
Research at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) uses innovative approaches to answer seminal questions in the human-animal-environment interactions field. From animal welfare to nature-based therapeutic interventions, and a lot in between, IHAC’s unique research informs practitioners, communities, and the field at large.
For Dr. Vicki Kirsch, the Equine-Assisted Mental Health (EAMH) Certificate program was life changing. With a hybrid model featuring online courses and three, in-person workshops, Kirsch had found a program that offered a deeper learning experience.
Darlene Brace, Behavioral Health Director in an integrated medical and dental clinic, is a graduate of both the Animals and Human Health (AHH) and Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist (CAIS) certificates. In both of these programs, Brace learned valuable skills and knowledge that she has been able to take into her personal practice.
To further advance the field of human-animal-environment interactions (HAEI), IHAC is proud to support the Human-Animal-Environment Interaction in Social Work certificate at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work. Sarah Pellizzari, an MSW graduate who earned the certificate (at the time known as the Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate) in 2012, integrates pieces of her learning into her work today.
Jeanne Floerke, a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in work with children with medical illnesses, earned the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner (EAMH) Certificate in 2022. In her practice, Floerke offers inpatient, pediatric consultation for medical teams and outpatient treatment for children and adults.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection is excited to announce Kim Korona (she/her/hers) has joined the adjunct faculty team for the Humane Education Practitioner professional development certificate program. Korona brings an exceptional understanding and experience in humane education to our team, having worked in this field for almost 20 years.
Signature Events
Research Seminar Series
Our quarterly seminars feature a wide variety of speakers and topics with an emphasis on social justice issues.
The IHAC and Green Chimneys co-hosted conferences present the latest research, best practices, and future directions of human-animal-environment interactions, and inspires attendees to rethink human relationships with other animals.
