The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI), a national non-profit foundation consisting of animal-oriented business, organizations, and people with a shared goal of widespread recognition and awareness of the positive role that animals play in the well-being and overall health of humans, families, and communities.

HABRI Central is a domain of data collection and research geared at human-animal bond studies. In addition to the HABRI Foundation, the online resources are also made possible by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and Public Libraries. Some of the information in the resource includes the benefits pets have on the well-being and health in addition to how pets affect people affected with Alzheimer’s, depression, heart disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“The recent influence of human-animal bond studies has expanded quickly into vast industries and fields, many of which can benefit immensely from learning and knowing more about how the human-animal bond affects us,” said Bob Vetere, APPA and HABRI president.

HABRI was founded by the American Pet Product Association (APPA), PETCO, and Pfizer Animal Health. Additional steering committees of HABRI include the American Humane Association (AHA), Central Garden and Pet, Hartz, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Morris Animal Foundation, Natural Balance, PetSmart, Radio Systems Corporation, Segrest Farms, Sergeants, and WellPet.

One of the key initiatives launched by the HABRI Foundation is to develop a comprehensive online research center, HABRI Central. This initiative will be maintained by Purdue University. HABRI Central will be accessible to businesses, people, and organizations that seek legitimate research about the benefits of the human-animal bond.

HABRI Central is run on the HUBZero software platform and was developed at Purdue with assistance from the National Science Foundation. HABRI Central is the first funded project as a part of the HABRI Foundation.

For more information, visit HABRI Central at www.HabriCentral.org.

Further details about HABRI Foundation and to sign up for the newsletter can be found at www.habri.org.