HABRI and NAVC unveil Human Animal Bond Certified 2.0

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) have launched Human Animal Bond Certified 2.0—an updated version of their certification that helps veterinary professionals engage with clients through the communication and science of the human-animal bond.

According to an organizational release, Human Animal Bond Certified initially debuted in 2018, and the recent updates reflect significant changes in the industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic including the high demand for veterinarians and staff. Now, the certification features modules on relevant topics (eg, aftercare, access to care) and is offered as a more manageable, tiered system consisting of three, 8-hour modules. Practice certification is also currently available.

“The pandemic has not only accelerated the importance of pets in people’s lives, but it has also created more attentive pet owners who want the best care for their pets and who expect to hear from their veterinarians about the human-animal bond,” said Steven Feldman, HABRI president.

“Human-Animal Bond Certified 2.0 equips veterinarians and their teams with the resources they need to support and acknowledge the human-animal bond,” he added.

The modules will focus primarily on science, communication, animal wellness, medical care, community engagement, and more to foster and maintain a positive human-animal bond.

To create Human-Animal Bond Certified 2.0, the HABRI and NAVC gathered a group of expert veterinarians, researchers, and academics including those who have accelerated our understanding of pets and their impact on our well-being and health. According to the release, research displays positive outcomes for people, pets and veterinarians when they communicate the science of the human-animal bond, and pet owners trust their veterinary professionals as key resources on the human-animal bond.

“Passion for the human-animal bond is an important driver for veterinary professionals,” said Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, in an organizational release,

“In helping educate veterinarians and staff about the science of the human-animal bond, Human-Animal Bond Certified 2.0 is the new gold standard for veterinarians looking to reconnect with their purpose and engage with their clients in a meaningful and effective way," he concluded.

Reference

HABRI and NAVC launch new and improved human-animal bond veterinary certification. News release. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute. January 12, 2022. Accessed January 13, 2022. https://habri.org/pressroom/20220111