The Centers for the Human-Animal Bond (CHAB) conference provides a critical opportunity to bring together a diverse set of national and international academic Human-Animal Interaction centers and institutes. The conference serves as a platform for interdisciplinary conversation with opportunities for the exchange and discussion of new ideas for future research in regards to animal-assisted interventions and additional dimensions of the human-animal bond.
The 2021 CHAB conference resulted in a special issue in peer-reviewed journal, Human-Animal Interactions. The special issue contains 9 articles with themes including: (1) human-animal interaction centers and institutes around the world: a 2021 overview, (2) expanding HAI content in higher education, (3) international collaboration for uniform terminology and professional development for animal-assisted interventions and interactions, (4) complexities and considerations in conducting human-animal interaction research, (5) exploring diversity, equity, and inclusion perceptions in the field of human-animal interaction, (6) researcher-practitioner interaction, (7) ensuring animal well-being in animal-assisted education programs, (8) evolutionary perspectives on the human-animal bond, and (9) theoretical basis for research on pet and owners’ mental health.
Read more at the CABI Digital Library
The first CHAB conference was hosted in 2006 and in 2016 a 10-year follow-up conference continued the conversation. Both of these previous conferences resulted in special issues in peer-reviewed journals (2008 in JVME and 2018 in HAIB). Periodic and structured dialogue and coordination by these multi-disciplinary and geographically diverse human-animal interaction centers are critical to accelerating the advancement of the field of human-animal interaction and collaboration across disciplines. The advancement of the field will lead to further understanding regarding the physiological, psychological, and cultural implications of the human-animal bond.
If you were unable to attend, you can watch the conference sessions on YouTube.
Thank you to our sponsors!
The conference is also supported by the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine Center for the Human-Animal Bond and Purdue University Office of the Provost.
