Researching the human-animal bond

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) explores the role of the human-animal bond in the health and wellbeing of humans and pets as well as in cultures and communities, using science, education and advocacy.¹ In a dvm360 interview, Lindsey Braun, vice president of research and operations for HABRI, discussed recent research results. In this video, she explains the work of the organization and the purpose behind the research HABRI is facilitating to advance the human-animal bond.

The following is a transcript of this video:

dvm360: What is the work of the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI)?

Lindsey Braun: HABRI, we're a nonprofit 501(c)3. We work to advance the science that demonstrates all of the various benefits of the human animal bond on human health and wellbeing and also animal health. We work to educate the public about the research, and we also advocate for policies that help more people have access to the human animal bond.

We have an RFP process every year. We issue proposals from all over the globe. Basically, it's a very international field of research, but we cast a pretty wide net looking at everything from the benefits of the human animal bond for child health and development to healthy aging and mental health and wellness. This year, for the first time ever, we're doing a special call on housing, pet inclusive rental housing. We know that from our from data we've collected with Michelson found animals, there's really not enough affordable and accessible rental housing that's really devoid of unnecessary restrictions on pets, like breed and size and number of pets. And so we're looking to infuse more data into the conversation.

I think a lot of people see the science that we fund is kind of like confirmatory, like, ‘Oh, of course, I know how beneficial my pet is for me,’ or they have a story, right? But we really need the data and the research to support the kinds of policies and programs that are already in place or that really need to help kind of broader society benefit and improve public health, and so that's really kind of the role we like to play, is adding data to the conversation and trying to address the big issues that that's. Whether it's people, pet owners, the animal welfare system, the veterinarians, everyone is facing just because we know that everyone, or we believe that everyone, should have, you know, access to a healthy pet in their lives.

Reference

Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Our mission. Human Animal Bond Research Institute. Accessed February 13, 2026. https://habri.org/about/mission-vision/