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.
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.
Danish psychologist Inge Schoug Larsen uses the ethical superstructure she learned in the Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner certificate program to guide her practice.
The Humane Education & Interventions for Early Learners certificate helped Xuan Gudevelop critical thinking and teaching skills, as well as a compassionate approach to the delivery of humane education.
In a new project, inmates adopt abandoned dogs, train them and help them find a home. The inmates themselves receive a certificate in dog training and earn a friend, in a place in which any warm connection has meaning.
After completing IHACs Animals and Human Health (AHH) certificate, María Belén Ibáñez Justiniano established EQOVOLARE, Bolivia's first officially registered animal-assisted therapy center.
As associate director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Erica Elvove champions a holistic approach to social work that includes humans, animals and the environment.
Peter Wolf is a research and policy analyst with Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization that focuses on outreach to promote pet adoption, animal shelters that minimize euthanasia and spay-and-neuter education. Peter, like many we have talked to in the animal welfare field, came to his work with community cats by a somewhat unconventional route. Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, he did not have pets in his home but was always fascinated by and bonded with community cats.
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.
