Bob Vetere, president of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation, announced that over the past year, its online hub, HABRI Central, has collected extensive research and evidence available online for peer review in seven key areas. The Foundation identified the following seven key areas in which human health is positively impacted by animals: allergy and asthma immunity among children, Alzheimer’s, autism, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Among key findings in these seven fields, new research has shown that contact with companion animals can have physical benefits to those with post-traumatic stress disorder such as the release of oxytocin and endorphins in the brain; pets can have a protective effect for young children from allergies later in life; and patients who own a pet have a better survival rate of recovering from heart surgery.
“Research exploring the human-animal bond is still a relatively new area of study and we are pleased with the compilation and strong amount of research that has been conducted on these health issues thus far,” said Vetere. “We look forward to continuing the momentum and our commitment to supporting research in multiple fields to help solidify that pets provide people with dozens of health benefits and much more than just love and companionship.”
Vetere will discuss HABRI and its latest findings as the closing keynote speaker for Petfood Forum on April 17.