WILMINGTON, N.C.
Human Animal Bond Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and advocating the human-animal bond as a community, announces the completion and publication of The Impact of Pets on the Teleworking Experience during COVID-19 study and paper, by Christy L. Hoffman, Ph.D., Department of Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation, Canisius College, NY, USA. This study was funded by a joint financial donation by the leading animal health company, Zoetis, and HABA.
“HABA is excited and proud to have joined Zoetis and Canisius College in furthering scientific progress in the area of the human-animal bond. This study has provided a greater understanding pertinent to these unprecedented times, and beyond, of how our pets benefit our quality of life while working from home”, says Laird Goodman, DVM, HABA President.
Results of this study support previous Human Animal Interaction (HAI) studies, particularly those describing the potential benefits of dog walking. “Participants reported spending more quality time with their family members and companion animals when they worked from home. Moreover, dog owners indicated they were more likely to play with and pet their dog on the days they worked from home.”
Also, “when working from home, individuals with dogs were more likely than those without dogs to report they socialized with other people, got a healthy amount of physical activity, and took at least one 15-minute walk during the workday.”
“The results of this study further demonstrate how our pets can help improve our health – a bright spot in these uncertain times.” said Tara Bidgood, DVM, Ph.D., DACVCP, Executive Director, Zoetis Petcare Veterinary Professional Services. “Zoetis is pleased to support research that seeks to further understand the science behind the power of the human-animal bond and its impact on both human and pet health.”
This study has been published by the journal Animals, an international peer-reviewed open access journal devoted entirely to animals including zoology and veterinary sciences who has produced a special COVID issue edited by Aubrey Fine.
