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
November 5
Integrating Human-Animal Interaction into Wellness: Insights from the Workplace, the Classroom, and the Horse Pasture
Join the Institute for Human-Animal Connection in this quarterly research seminar and hear Dr. Nieforth discuss findings from her recent studies focused on the integration of dogs into the workplaces, pets in the classroom, and incorporating horses into personal development for veteran wellbeing. She will highlight the unique benefits and challenges of these human-animal interactions and present opportunities for the next steps.
Information Session: Animals and Human Health Certificate
Join the IHACPro team for a virtual information session about our Animals and Human Health certificate program. Even if you cannot attend live, all registrants will receive a recording of the session and a copy of the presentation slides.
Creating a Compassionate and Humane Pedagogy Course
We have a brand new online course available with NO eligibility requirements! Complete coursework entirely on your own time and at your own pace.
Designed for educators who want to bring a more compassionate, whole-systems lens into their classrooms, you will explore trauma-sensitive education, inclusion & belonging, cultural humility, and how human rights, animal protection, and environmental care all connect with practical strategies for educator well-being.
New research publication out now! Titled, "Demographic Disparities in Animal Law Enforcement: Rates and Outcomes."
Using Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores as a measure of community marginalization, results indicate that the most marginalized communities experience both the most cases and higher rates of punitive outcomes from animal control. Further, the Racial & Ethnic Minority Status and Socioeconomic Status SVI domains primarily influence the disparities, even when controlling for case type. Combined results highlight racial and socioeconomic inequities in animal law enforcement.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) is excited to welcome Betty Jean Curran to the adjunct faculty team for the Animals and Human Health (AHH) professional development certificate program. Curran is a Licensed Master Social Worker, educator, and writer with a passion for program design and evaluation.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection is pleased to welcome Maureen Huang to the adjunct faculty team for the Animals and Human Health certificate program. Huang is the founder of Pawsibility, a private practice in Singapore that specializes in animal-assisted therapy. She often works alongside her canine co-therapists to bring insights that change the way people think, behave and feel.
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.
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.
