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.
November 5
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.
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.
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."
Bello, B., Flynn, E., Geldhof, G.J., Yu, D., Mueller, M.K., & Morris, K.N. (2024). Measuring social and emotional functioning as a facet of Positive Youth Development among children and adolescents with mental health and learning challenges. Social Development. e12738. doi: 10.1111/sode.12738
Gandenberger, J., Ledreux, A., Taeckens, A., Murphy, K., Forkin, J., Gilmore, A., & Morris, K. N. (2024). The Presence of a Pet Dog Is Associated with a More Balanced Response to a Social Stressor. Stresses, 4(3), 598-613.
Wesley, J., Furst, G., Bello, B., & Morris, K.N. (2024). How prison dog programs challenge the racial code in correctional settings and beyond. Corrections: Policy, Practice, and Research. In press. doi: 10.1080/23774657.2024.2338848
Ekholm Fry, N. (2024). Equine welfare in therapy and learning services: An overview. In L. Kogan (Ed). Animal-assisted interventions: Recognizing and mitigating potential welfare challenges (pp. 14-17). CAB International.
A conservation social work course took Graduate School of Social Work students to Kenya, where they discovered how the lives of humans and threatened species intersect.
Our quarterly seminars feature a wide variety of speakers and topics with an emphasis on social justice issues.
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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.
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