Projects In-Progress

HABRI-Funded Research

Featured Partner
PetSmart Charities

Since 2010, HABRI has awarded more than $3 million to worthy proposals on the cutting edge of addressing evidence based health benefits of human-animal interaction.

Each of the projects below have been funded and are currently in progress. Results will be published once the projects have been completed.

Enhancing Healthy Aging by Pairing Older Adults with Foster Cats

Principal Investigator

Sherry Sanderson, , DVM, PhD, DACVIM (University of Georgia)

Detection of Pre-Seizure Odor by Trained Dogs: A Scientific Validation Study

Principal Investigator

Philip Ente M.D, M.S. ( Cedars Sinai Medical Center)

The Role of Human-Dog Interactions in Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

Principal Investigator

Shelby E. McDonald, PhD (Colorado State University)

Possible mechanisms linking pet ownership to mortality: A mediation analysis of psychosocial and health behavioural variables among older adults

Principal Investigator

Lauren Grant, Ph.D (Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph)

Validating the Effectiveness of Animal-assisted Therapy for Individuals with SCI/ABI in Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation

Principal Investigator

Edelle Field-Fote, P.T., Ph.D (Shepherd Center)

Geriatric and End-of-life (EOL) Pet Care including euthanasia decisions: Implications and impact on animal welfare, owner well-being and caregiver burden, veterinarian-owner relationship, and the human animal bond

Principal Investigators

Kathleen Cooney (Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy) & Lori Kogan (Colorado State University)

Understanding the role of pet deposit assistance in increasing tenants’ perceived housing security and preventing pet relinquishment

Principal Investigator

Kevin Morris (University of Denver Institute of Human Animal Connection)

Impacts of service dogs on military veterans’ PTSD symptoms and post-traumatic growth

Principal Investigator

Kevin Morris (Executive Director, Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver)

Changes in university students’ heart and brain activity during an animal-assisted activity program with therapy dogs

Principal Investigators

Jillian T. Teo (University of Wollongong), Stuart J. Johnstone (University of Wollongong) & Susan J. Thomas (University of Wollongong)

Catalysts for Growth: The Impact of Youth-Cat Partnerships in Youth-led Animal-Assisted Community Activities

Principal Investigators

Kristen Davis Moore (Oregon State University), Monique Udell (Oregon State University) & Saethra Darling (Oregon State University)

Rescue Me: Investigating the impact of “small furry” animal rescue on owner wellbeing

Principal Investigator

Carri Westgarth (University of Liverpool)

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Greater Insight into the Human-Animal Bond and Implications for Health

Principal Investigator

Nophar Geifman (University of Surrey)

Therapy dog welfare: Experimental analysis of individual behavioural predictors for suitability and choices within AAI sessions

Principal Investigators

Alexandra Protopopova (University of British Columbia) & Camila Cavalli (University of British Columbia)

The Immediate Effects of Mounted vs Unmounted Human-Equine Interaction on Physiological and Behavioral Indicators of Self-regulation in Autistic Youth

Principal Investigators

B. Caitlin Peters (Temple Grandin Equine Center, Colorado State University) & Robin Gabriels ( University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus)

A One Health Approach to Supporting Cancer Survivors and Their Pets

Principal Investigators

Jennifer Currin-McCulloch (Colorado State University ) & Lori Kogan (Colorado State University )

The Role of Pet Dogs: Examining Resilience and Well-being in Military Adolescents

Principal Investigator

Laurie A. Martinez, PhD, MBA, MSN, RN, AHN-BC (Florida Atlantic University)

Assessing the Influence of Equine-Assisted Services on the Biopsychosocial Well-Being of Trauma Victims and their Equine Partners

Principal Investigator

Kimberly Cole (The Ohio State University)

Evaluating the Effects of Facility “Station Dogs” on Burnout and Mental Health for First Responders

Principal Investigator

Kerri E. Rodriguez (University of Arizona)

Investigating Possible Mechanism of Human-Animal Bond in Companion Dogs Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopic (fNIRS) Brain Imaging

Principal Investigator

Niwako Ogata (Purdue University)

Allostatic Load Scoring for Understanding Stressors and Predicting Success in Guide Dogs: A Pilot Study

Principal Investigator

Barbara A. Wolfe, DVM, PhD, DACZM (Colorado State University)

Wellbeing at the Nexus of Animal Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence: A Study of Canadian Adults

Principal Investigator

Rochelle Stevenson ( Thompson Rivers University)

Impact of Service Dogs on the Psychosocial Well-being of Children with ASD, their Parents and their Families

Principal Investigator

Gretchen K. Carlisle, PhD, MEd, RN (University of Missouri)

The Minority Pet-Owner Health Project (MPOH): Investigating effects of demographic-disparities, racism, and the human-animal bond on Minority Health

Principal Investigator

Sharmaine Miller (PhD) (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health)

A Pilot Study to Examine the Impact of a Therapy Dog Intervention on Loneliness and Related Health Outcomes in Patients with Mental Illness

Principal Investigator

Nancy R. Gee, PhD (Virginia Commonwealth University)

Sharing is caring: can pets protect their owners against antibiotic-associated disruption of the gut microbiome?

Principal Investigator

Laurel Redding, VMD, PhD, DACVPM (University of Pennsylvania)

The role of human-animal interaction in coping with minority stress: A longitudinal study of sexual and gender minority emerging adults

Principal Investigators

Rosalie Corona, PhD (Virginia Commonwealth University) & Shelby McDonald, PhD (Virginia Commonwealth University)

How does 8 weeks of equine-assisted therapy affect older adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease?

Principal Investigator

B. Rhett Rigby, PhD (Texas Woman’s University)

Exploring the Impacts of Animal-Assisted Interventions on Positive Youth Development for Adolescents in Residential Treatment

Principal Investigator

Kevin Morris, PhD (University of Denver)

The Influence of Pet Ownership on Gut Microbiota Composition and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Among 50 to 85-Year Old United States Adults

Principal Investigator

Katharine Watson, BVMS (Indiana University)

Diamond Dogs: A Pilot Dog-Walking Trial with Overweight College Students and Dog Shelters in the Inner-City

Principal Investigator

Eunice Chen, PhD (Temple University)

Implementation of Canine-Assisted Forensic Interviews with Children

Principal Investigators

Kamala London (University of Toledo) & Janet Hoy-Gerlach (University of Toledo)

Direct Experimental Assessment of Therapy Dog Handlers on Child and Dog Behavior During AAI

Principal Investigator

Alexandra Protopopova (The University of British Columbia)
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  • Washington, DC 20005
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