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.
Adam Clark is a Licensed Clinical Social Work (LCSW) graduate from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work where he received his Animal-Assisted Social Work (AASW) Certification through the Institute for Human-Animal Connection and specialized in Family Systems work. After graduating Adam focused his career on grief and loss, with a specialization in understanding pet loss and its effect on human-animal relationships.
At the Institute for Human–Animal Connection, American Humane Endowed Chair Kevin Morris is working to improve animal and human welfare through more rigorous research.
Jennifer Dietrich uses the comprehensive knowledge and experiences she gained in the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner Certificate in her work as a school counselor and in private practice.
After completing the Animals and Human Health and Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist certificate programs, Lauren Kruger now works for New Ground, a New York nonprofit organization that provides intensive social work services to veterans experiencing homelessness.
The Animals and Human Health certificate enhanced Lynn Belkin's understanding of all aspects of animal well-being. She feels more aware of dog stress signals, and is able to evaluate these signs effectively and respond accordingly.
Colorado's First GentlemanMarlon Reis and the Institute for Human-Animal Connection share a commitment to advancing animal welfare and elevating awareness and understanding of the value of healthy human-animal-environment relationships.
The Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner certificate helped equine-assisted practitioner Natalie Norrell achieve competency in understanding equine behavior, and learn the equitation science approach to working with the horses.
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.
