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
February 25
Green Chimneys: The Evolution of a Nature-Based Program
Since 1947, Green Chimneys has operated an education and therapeutic program for children with special needs on a farm surrounded by nature and hundreds of animal species. For over 20 years, Kristin Licardi (Chief Clinical Officer) and Michael Kaufmann (Vice President of Nature Based Programs) have worked to continually adapt and evolve best practices for the current student population and a large number of farm animals, equines, dogs, and wildlife.
In this seminar, learn how research data gathered over a decade-long relationship with the Institute for Human-Animal Connection informs the current program and strategic directions at Green Chimneys. Kristin and Michael will share perspectives and illustrate how theory and practice inform each other in a model program that continually strives to improve.
Human Engagement in Animal Welfare and Sheltering Orientation Course
We have a brand new online course available with NO eligibility requirements! Complete coursework entirely on your own time.
Designed for animal welfare and shelter workers, you will dive into the knowledge and skills you may need to successfully engage community members and colleagues. Topics such as mindset, implicit bias, trust-building, facilitating psychological safety, positionality, and empowerment are reviewed in the context of culturally responsive community engagement in animal welfare.
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.
The Humane Education Practitioner Certificate was developed to help professionals learn about humane education and design a high-quality humane education program and interventions. IHAC is interested in humane education because it is a systems approach to creating a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world for the health and well-being of people, animals, and the natural environment.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection is excited to announce Heather Pugh has joined the adjunct faculty team for the Animals and Human Health professional development certificate program. Pugh is the first occupational therapist to join the teaching team, and she brings over 20 years of experience of including animals in her occupational therapy work.
Mara-Daria Cojocaru spent her first COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom thinking of new ways to combine her academic and creative work to be of relevance outside of her usual circles. She refers to her new work as animal-assisted philosophy. Cojocaru sought out the Animals and Human Health (AHH) professional development certificate to learn more about our complex relationships with animals and how animal-assisted interventions can be successful.
The human-animal-environment interactions in social work (HAEI-SW) certificate of specialization, formerly known as animal-assisted social work, prepares MSW students at GSSW to recognize the importance and impact of human-animal-environment interactions (HAEIs) in culturally responsive and ethically advanced professional social work practice settings.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection is pleased to welcome Jen VonLintel as one of the newest members of our adjunct faculty teaching team for the Animals and Human Health Certificate. Jen VonLintel, MS, is a licensed school counselor in Loveland, Colorado, specializing in animal-assisted interventions (AAI) in school settings. She has a passion for learning about the human-animal bond and building programs that benefit her school community.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) is excited to welcome Dr. Kevin Morris into the role of Executive Director beginning June 1, 2021. Kevin has served as IHAC's Director of Research since 2016. In addition, Kevin is a Research Associate Professor and the American Humane Endowed Chair at the Graduate School of Social Work. Kevin has overseen the development of IHAC's robust research agenda and looks forward to leading the Institute into the next chapter.
After 15 successful years as the founding executive director of the Institute for Human–Animal Connection (IHAC), Clinical Professor Philip Tedeschi has decided to step down from the executive director role on June 1, 2021, and return to teaching full time at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work. Philip will continue to teach and be involved with the Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate and online professional development programs.
Leah wanted a career change that included working with horses and dogs. She became a Life Coach and completed the Animals and Human Health Certificate through the Institute for Human-Animal Connection. The program helped Leah start her own business and integrate animals in an ethical and responsible manner.
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.
