Research Highlights from 2021

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection's research uses innovative approaches to answer seminal questions in the human-animal-environment interactions field. This year, our research team grew with the addition of three full-time staff positions. Research Fellow Ashley Taeckens-Seabaugh and Research Associates Brian Bello and Jeffrey Rodriguez joined our team.

We produced several reports and publications, including: 10 peer-reviewed publications and 3 other publications, with 6 additional manuscripts submitted or under review. These publications included:

• The first measurement of increasing Positive Youth Development within a clinical population at Green Chimneys;

• A rigorous study showing the positive benefits of prison-based dog training programs on recidivism rates;

• The first measurement of improved access to veterinary care by an animal welfare program focused on underserved communities;

• Conducted the most detailed assessment of pet ownership in underserved communities to date;

• A study demonstrating the importance of cultural competency in effective community-based animal welfare programming; and

• A study identifying the importance of positive interactions with companion animals to prevent mistreatment of other species during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our research team presented these findings at several virtual conferences, including: Society for Social Work and Research (February 2021), Association of Professional Humane Educators Conference (April 2021), Humane Society of the United States’ Animal Care Expo (April 2021), Society for Research in Child Development 2021 Biennial Meeting (April 2021), International Society of Anthrozoology Conference (June 2021), Best Friends Animal Society National Conference (June 2021), Colorado Public Health Association’s Public Health in the Rockies (September 2021), Animal Grantmakers Conference (October 2021), American Public Health Association (October 2021).

2021 was an incredible year for the research team! We could not have done it without our 24 graduate research assistants. Thank you to all who supported this work.

Interested in working with IHAC Research?

We will be posting the application for our 2022-2024 Post-MSW Research Fellow position in February 2022. The application deadline will be Sunday, March 27, 2022. 

Learn more about IHAC research here or reach out to ihac@du.edu if you have any questions.