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
IHAC Receives Grant from The Human-Animal Alliance
IHAC is proud to announce that we have a received a $10,000 grant from The Human-Animal Alliance! This grant allows us to provide scholarships for students who would otherwise be unable to participate in our IHACPro programs due to cost.
Our research has been featured in The Conversation, an independent news organization that platforms academics and researchers like us to share our evidence-based findings with a broad, global audience.
IHAC research staff Jaci Gandenberger and Dr. Kevin Morris discuss how our companion dogs may do more than just reduce stress; they can actually help keep us in a healthy zone of stress response.
Are you looking to enhance your career? Our Animals and Human Health certificate program provides the education you need to ethically incorporate animals into your work through three online courses. In our program, you will gain valuable skills and knowledge in human-animal interactions that will set you up for success. This is the perfect program for social workers, counselors, educators, and more; tailor your assignments to fit your interests and experience a personalized learning environment with our small class sizes.
100% online, asynchronous, and led by expert instructors.
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.
Molly DePrekel graduated from IHAC’s Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist (CAIS) certificate program in 2022. She has been an IHAC adjunct faculty member since 2017 and has taught many courses within IHACPro’s Animals and Human Health certificate program.
Laurie Albright, a 2023 graduate of IHAC’s Humane Education Practitioner Certificate (CHEP) program, wears many hats in her professional life. She is a part-time hospice social worker, a teacher-in-training, and a volunteer adoption guide at the Denver Animal Shelter. In all these roles and more, Laurie incorporates elements of humane education.
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.
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.
