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
Intentional Listening: Lessons from Community-Centered Pet Care
Check out our latest student-written article about the PetSmart Charities Incubator project! In this article, Veterinarian Sarah Reidenbach of Ruthless Kindness shares how intentional listening and trust-building are transforming pet care access in Napa, CA and what it means to "give before you get."
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.
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.
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.
Maria Espinosa de los Monteros didn’t grow up with dogs, but quickly opened up her heart and home to the many stray dogs in need of care in her community once she was able to. She is now the director of the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistant Dogs) program in Mexico City where she serves a diverse population and is elevating the role of dogs in her community.
The holiday season is upon us again, with its typical spectrum of emotions from joy and happiness to grief and despair. Perhaps these emotions are also amplified by issues unique to 2020, such as the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice in the U.S. There are also many aspects of the holidays that might be experienced as stressful by a dog or any companion animal species.
Shanti Hill-Gauer earned her MSW and AASW certificate in 2013 and is now the owner and clinical director of the Wish Fulfilling Tree – Therapeutic Ranch. The Wish Fulfilling Tree provides animal-assisted therapy services to youth in Sonoma County, California.
Rachel Pletcher completed Animals and Human Health in 2018 which has allowed her to develop and implement an animal-assisted therapy program for her child welfare organization.
The Institute for Human-Animal Connection offers Research Fellowship for individuals with their MSW who are interested in receiving robust training in social science research with a focus on the Human-Animal-Environment Interaction field.
Lisa Daigle is the founder of Savannah's Place, a sanctuary providing mindfulness, advocacy, and wellness for equines and a 2015 graduate of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection's (IHAC) Animals and Human Health (AHH) Certificate program. She's recently enrolled in another IHAC certificate program to benefit her local community and the animals at the sanctuary.
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.
