The Institute for Human-Animal Connection

Research team update ??! A few members of our research team (Research Associates Ximena and Sasha, and Intern Jess), recently visited Seattle! They spent time at a community pet clinic hosted by Seattle Humane, where where they offered wellness exams with the veterinarian, updated vaccines, flea & tick prevention, access to free pet food, and pet supplies. Ximena, Sasha, and Jess also visited the famous Seattle gum wall and El Centro de la Raza, Seattle Veterinary Outreach's community partner. Thank you to our incubator partner, Seattle Humane, for hosting us for this visit!

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection's instructor-led Animals and Human Health certificate program starts January 2025! This program is entirely virtual and the work is completed on your own time, within weekly due dates. Join us to build up your expertise in human-animal interactions and develop your very own human-animal interaction program or intervention that can be practically and ethically implemented into your current or future work. Our program's curriculum can be tailored to fit your specific species, population, and setting interests. Upon completion, earn 35 CEUs on a University of Denver transcript. Reach out to us with any questions at [email protected]. Read about one of our recent alumni's success after taking our certificate program here: https://lnkd.in/gNRXCpJ9 #ContinuingEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #HAIs #HumanAnimal

?? Upcoming course! ?? Spring registration is now open for the Institute for Human-Animal Connection’s popular online course on Equine Behavior taught by IHAC’s Director of Equine Programs, Nina Ekholm Fry. Join us to learn how the behavior of horses relates to their care, healthy development, and overall welfare and needs with a focus on human-horse interactions. The course is science-based, fully online, and internationally accessible. It can be easily completed by anyone who needs to learn on a flexible schedule and is appropriate for any education level, whether you are new to horses or a seasoned professional. Important Details: ??? The course starts January 15 and will run for 15 weeks until May 5. ?? 100% virtual learning. ?? Complete course content on your own time, within weekly due dates. ??? Expect to spend no more than 2-3 hours a week on course content. ?? Upon completion, you will earn 8 CEUs. You can learn more about the course on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gN45FPfk or by reaching out to us directly at [email protected].

It's time for a student spotlight! ?? Joelle Sanpei is one of our current work-study students at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection. This year, she will be working on our Green Chimneys research portfolio--using the Positive Youth Development framework, IHAC is showing that the Green Chimneys experience supports students' improved social-emotional functioning. Joelle grew up in Utah, and graduated from Utah State University with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Equine-Human Science. Presently, she is enrolled in the University of Denver's Master of Social Work program. She loves animals, especially horses, and her dog named Kaia. ?? ?? Welcome to the graduate research assistant team, Joelle! We're happy to have you.

? Reminder: join us for a virtual information session via Zoom about our Animals and Human Health certificate program this Thursday, November 14, at 11 AM MT! Even if you cannot attend live, you will still receive the recording of the presentation after the session concludes--there will be an opportunity for Q&A for live attendees! Discover how you can build your expertise in human-animal interactions and learn to ethically incorporate animals into your work. In our certificate, you'll have the opportunity to develop your very own program proposal! Our curriculum can equip you with practical tools and a plan for how to make your vision a successful reality. Register now at this link: https://lnkd.in/eiY5Kb_z ?? #AnimalsAndHumanHealth #InfoSession #VirtualEvent #BuildYourFuture #ProfessionalDevelopment #CertificateProgram #HumanAnimalInteractions

IHAC's Canine-Assisted Intervention Specialist (CAIS) certificate program provides comprehensive education, training, and practical hands-on experience with dogs so you can ethically incorporate them into your professional treatment strategies, taught by expert instructors Phil Tedeschi and Jen Pearson. Though our 2024 CAIS certificate has already begun, you can apply now for the 2025 program! We only run CAIS once a year, and spots fill up fast. The program is designed to be completed 100% virtually with asynchronous assignments that you complete on your own time -- reach out to us for more info or check out our website! Phil, one of our brilliant instructors in the CAIS program, was recently featured in an article on Kinship, where he shares some of his expertise on dog behavior and human-canine communication. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eCR6ywvF

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection has a new research paper out now, detailing our study findings on pets and housing in Houston, Texas! Tenants in affordable housing shared their experiences on pet-inclusive housing with our research team and crafted policy recommendations based on their experiences. Read more about the study, which is open access and available at no cost, here: https://lnkd.in/eGt47C8r Thank you to the research team: Tess Mascitelli, Dr. Taryn M. Graham, Lauren Loney, Jennifer W. Applebaum, Christa Murray, MSW, Miranda Binns-Calvey, Sloane Hawes, and Kevin Morris. #HumanAnimalBond

Dr. Kevin Morris, IHAC's Executive Director, has been selected as a speaker for the University of Denver's R1: Research with Impact Lecture Series, which highlights cutting-edge research being conducted at the DU campus. Join us on November 13, in-person on the University of Denver campus at 6:30 PM MT, to hear about the latest IHAC research from Dr. Morris! In the lecture, you can expect to hear an overview of our research portfolio from Dr. Morris, including how incorporating animals into clinical interventions within youth residential care improves outcomes, how participating in prison-based dog training programs impacts outcomes for those incarcerated, how increasing access to veterinary care in under-resourced communities improves individual and community health, and more! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eDavESSA

Check out Heather Pugh's publication on, "Theoretical and methodological alignment through multi-modal research designs: Advancing the transactional perspective of occupation" in the quoted post below. ? Heather is one of IHACPro's wonderful instructors in our Animals and Human Health certificate program.

Have you or someone you know been wondering what it would mean to incorporate an animal into your professional work? Check out IHAC's Animals and Human Health certificate program! Throughout three online courses and a final capstone session, you will build up your expertise and skills around human-animal interactions and develop your own plan for how to implement your vision. Next cohort will begin January 2025! Why IHAC? ?? ?? Our curriculum is always evolving to keep up with the latest research and best practice recommendations. ?? You will have the opportunity to tailor your learning to your specific species, setting, and population interests. ?? Our instructors are passionate, knowledgable, and supportive of your individual education journey. ?? Discover new perspectives with our multi-disciplinary curriculum and cohorts. ??? Earn 35 CEUs on a University of Denver transcript. Learn more on our website: https://lnkd.in/dRxWRDf #HAIs #AnimalAssisted #HumanServices #SocialWork #SocialWorker #Counseling #SchoolCounseling #SchoolCounselor #DogAssisted #HorseAssisted #CatAssisted #HumanAnimalInteraction #Intervention #ContinuingEd #ContinuingEducation #ProfDev #ProfessionalDev #ProfessionalDevelopment #Certificate #Course #Grad #DU #Denver #UofDenver #GSSW #Therapy #Therapist