 4th Annual HABI Conference
As most of you interested in the relationship between humans and animals know, the field is growing, in terms of research, service, and education. With that comes an increased number of conferences focusing on the relationship between humans and animals. For 2005 there are many conferences and seminars across the country . The increased interest is wonderful, however, coupled with the financial constraints at the time, we will not be having the 5th Annual Human-Animal Bond Initiative Conference (Cuddle a critter and cll me in the morning,,,,the science behindour relationahip with animals) this fall. We are actively searching for support for a conference in 2006.The 2004 Conference was a big success! Presentations, posters, and more are on being
posted on the 2004 Conference page as quickly
as possible.
College of Nursing (CON) Human-Animal Bond Initiative receives two American Veterinary Medical Foundation Grants!
CON researchers from the Human-Animal Bond
Initiative have received both grants awarded by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation for the study of the relationship between humans and animals. Lana Kaiser, MD, DVM, Professor of
Nursing and Medicine is the lead investigator on the project entitled "Therapeutic riding for at-risk children: Does it make a difference?" Linda Spence, nurse and
pediatric psychologist from the CON; Adroaldo Zanella, DVM, PhD an animal behaviorist from the Department of Animal Science, and Camie Heleski, MS a
graduate student in animal behavior and coordinator of the MSU horse management program are the co-investigators. The project will take place at the CHUM
Therapeutic Riding Center in Mason, MI. Bonnie DePue is director of the CHUM, and in addition to being a certified therapeutic riding instructor, she is an
occupational therapist. The project is designed to assess the effect of therapeutic riding on both the horse and rider, making it one of the first comprehensive research
studies on therapeutic riding in the nation. Linda Spence is the lead investigator on the second project funded by the AVMF
entitled "Pets and parents of chronically ill children". Families will be recruited from throughout Michigan. The project is designed to examine the relationship between
the family pet and parents as caregivers of children with Type 1 diabetes. It is proposed that the pet provides social support and facilitates coping for the
caregivers. Lana Kaiser is the co-investigator on this project. This is the first year the AVMF has funded proposals dealing with the relationship between humans and
animals. CON received both funded proposals! A Little Background...
Our views on the power of the human-animal bond are based on anecdotal reports and personal feelings, but few scientific studies.
Things we think we know or we take for granted, have never been subject to scientific validation. Without validation, it is difficult to take advantage of the bond, and incorporate the
use of animals in therapeutic settings. Nursing seeks to understand and ease the symptoms of acute and chronic illness, to prevent or delay the onset of disease or disability or slow its progression, and to find effective approaches to achieving and sustaining good health
Since animals are now considered members of many families, it is only logical that the nurse would work towards incorporating them into total patient care.
The College of Nursing, in collaboration with veterinarians and animal behaviorists, announces the development of Human-Animal Bond Initiative. Our goal is to better understand the interactions
between humans and animals and to better assess how animals enrich our lives. |
