Human Animal Bond Research Institute Awards Grant to
Colorado State University
WASHINGTON, June 17,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Human Animal Bond
Research Institute (HABRI) today announced funding for a new
research project that will explore the challenges cancer survivors
encounter in caring for their pets throughout the course of their
treatment and recovery with the goal of informing the development
of clinical assessments and interventions to better address their
pet-related needs. The funding was awarded to a team of researchers
at Colorado State University co-led by
Dr. Jennifer Currin-McCulloch and
Dr. Lori Kogan.
In conducting this research, we hope to
help cancer survivors enjoy the benefits of their relationship with
their pet by minimizing the stress involved with meeting their
pets' needs during their survivorship trajectory.
Research suggests that pet ownership offers emotional support
and connection for cancer survivors. Although there are many
documented benefits of pet ownership for this population, there are
critical gaps in knowledge about the benefits or practical
day-to-day strains pets may create for survivors' physical and
emotional well-being. This project's overall objective is to
explore the benefits, stressors, and social support structures
survivors encounter in caring for their pets under the One Health
framework, which emphasizes a collaborative, cross-disciplinary
approach to public health.
"Cancer is one of the most common illnesses in the United States, and while the impact of
human social support on cancer survivors is well documented, the
influence of pets on survivors' wellbeing is not," explained Dr.
Currin-McCulloch. "In conducting this research, we hope to help
cancer survivors enjoy the benefits of their relationship with
their pet by minimizing the stress involved with meeting their
pets' needs during their survivorship trajectory."
This study will employ an online mixed methods survey to
identify if and how pets serve as emotional support and/or
stressors for cancer survivors, and how support systems can promote
their ability to provide for their pets' physical and emotional
well-being. The researchers will build on these survey results by
conducting focus groups to explore how survivors support their pets
and what gaps exist in pet-related services. Researchers expect to
find instrumental gaps in pet care resources needed to meet
survivors' needs, as well as resources to help survivors
communicate about their relationship with their pet to members of
their veterinary and medical care teams. These findings will then
be published as a website for cancer survivors, including tools for
helping them build support for pet ownership and guides to clearly
communicate their needs with their medical and veterinary
providers.
"We feel that helping to protect the bond during this
challenging time encapsulates the essence of human-animal bond
research," added Dr. Kogan.
"Identifying where gaps exist in current support services is an
essential first step to meet the needs of cancer survivors and
their pets," said Steven Feldman,
President of HABRI. "HABRI is proud to fund this research, which we
hope will provide support for pet owners who are survivors of
cancer or undergoing cancer treatment."
About HABRI
HABRI is a not-for-profit organization that funds innovative
research projects to scientifically document the health benefits of
companion animals and informs the public about human-animal bond
research and the beneficial role of companion animals in society.
For more information, please visit http://www.habri.org.
About the Flint Animal Cancer Center at the James L. Voss
Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State
University
The Flint Animal Cancer Center (FACC) is a service member of the
James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. The FACC is a world
leader in veterinary oncology care and research, with a mission of
better understanding and treating this disease across species.
Learn more about the FACC at
http://www.csuanimalcancercenter.org.
Media Contact
Hayley Maynard, Human Animal Bond
Research Institute, (614) 532-5279, Hayley@Inspireprgroup.com,
www.HABRI.org
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SOURCE Human Animal Bond Research Institute