Human-animal bond certification offered to veterinary students at no cost

Photo: Georgii/Adobe Stock

Veterinary students in the US will receive complimentary Human-Animal Bond Certification throughout 2025, courtesy of a sponsorship from Zoetis. The no-cost certification initiative was announced Wednesday, March 19, 2025, by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI).¹

“Zoetis and the NAVC are leaders in the veterinary profession and amazing partners for HABRI,” Steven Feldman, president of HABRI, said in a news release.¹ “So many students will benefit from their deep commitment to the human-animal bond.”

The Human-Animal Bond Certification program was launched in 2018 to provide a formal understanding of the science and research of health benefit to pet ownership and human-animal interaction. According to NAVC, the program also aims to generate knowledge of how veterinary professionals can best utilize their education and experience to promote the health and wellbeing of pets and their owners.¹

Gene O’Neill, CEO of the NAVC, said the organization’s mission is to create unparalleled opportunities for fostering lifelong learning, encourage growth and promote wellbeing aimed at advancing worldwide animal care. “Providing free human-animal bond certification to veterinary students checks all those boxes and provides an invaluable foundation for veterinary students to provide the best care and support to their patients and clients. We are grateful for the support Zoetis is providing through this initiative and for their longstanding commitment and leadership to enhance understanding and benefits of the human-animal bond,” O’Neill said in a news release.¹

A 2024 Mars Global Pet Parent Study found that 56% of people worldwide own pets, and there is a global pet population of about 1 billion. Thus, investigators found that understanding the universal and transformative bond between humans and animals has never been more important.²

Earlier this year, the Pets and Wellbeing Study (PAWS) was launched by Mars Inc. The PAWS program, which investigates the effects that cats and dogs have on human health and wellbeing, is designed to be a 5-year initiative. More than 35,000 individuals in more than 20 countries are expected to participate in the study during its’ initial phase. PAWS intends to provide new insights and scientific data for how pets may enrich human lives and how this bond contributes to quality of life for animals.²

The Human-Animal Bond Certification course explores the scientific benefits for veterinary staff, owners, and animals. It addresses how to establish and promote a strong human-animal bond through the analysis of animal welfare. It also discusses the science and animal welfare essential to the human-animal bond, which includes understanding the neurological mechanisms of the bond, the scientific benefits of pet ownership, and the health advantages of various human-animal interactions.¹

“The Human-Animal Bond Certification program will equip future veterinary professionals with essential knowledge and skills they need to boost the health and well-being of both pets and their owners. This initiative underscores our commitment to lifelong learning and promoting the vital benefits of the human-animal bond,” Richard Goldstein, DVM, global chief medical officer and head of medical affairs for Zoetis, said in the news release.¹

Veterinary students interested in registering for the human-animal bond certification should visit the VetFolio digital platform, available online. Participating students can learn how to incorporate HAB principles into daily practice operations, using protocols that maximize doctor-client interactions, tips for identifying and eliminating elements that hinder the human-animal bond during visits, recommendations for veterinary nurses to support the bond, and a human-animal bond focused approach to end-of-life care and euthanasia, according to the NAVC.¹

References

1. Zoetis, NAVC and HABRI team up to provide free human-animal bond certification to veterinary students across the US. News release. March 19, 2025.
2. Crossley KC. Global study of the human animal bond is launched. dvm360. February 20, 2025. Accessed March 19, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/global-study-of-the-human-animal-bond-is-launched