The Institute for Human-Animal Connection

Scholarship applications are now open! Learn more and apply now until July 28: https://udenver.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBhHdO23ScwGrFs

We are pleased to announce that we will be able to offer two $2,000 scholarships for our Animals and Human Health certificate program, graciously funded in remembrance of Fletcher Merkel.

🗓️ Applications for the scholarship will open on July 6 and close end-of-day on July 28.
📚 The scholarship will be for the September-start cohort of the Animals and Human Health program.
📝 You must have already been accepted into the Animals and Human Health program to be eligible for the scholarship.

We will share the application link to the scholarship on July 6 -- reach out to us if you have any questions in the meantime.

Learn more about the Animals and Human Health program: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/education-certificates/animals-human-health-certificate

There are only 3 spots remaining in our Fall-start Equine Behavior course! 🐴

This is a fully online course that can be accessed internationally and is a perfect fit for any education level, designed with flexibility in mind for full-time workers or students.

Our course is focused on understanding the behavior and cognition of horses within the context of how to care for, handle and train horses using best available scientific information. Earn 8 CEUs (80 clock hours) on a University of Denver transcript upon completion.

📌 Learn more on our website and secure your spot: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/education-certificates/equine-behavior-course

As we continue to celebrate the Institute for Human-Animal Connection's 20th anniversary, we will be spotlighting select publications that have been especially important to our history. Hear from Dr. Kevin Morris below on why he selected this week's research publication. ⤵️

"One of the first manuscripts we published out of IHAC's research portfolio was "Race and ethnicity are not primary determinants in utilizing veterinary services in underserved communities in the United States” in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science.

Our work demonstrated that you can’t predict who will spay or neuter their pets based on race/ethnicity. This study set IHAC on a path toward more social justice-oriented projects exploring various widely-held, and potentially damaging, assumptions and practices within animal welfare. It also cemented a relationship between IHAC and the Pets for Life team that thrives to this day."

Check out the research: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10888705.2017.1378578

Pictured is Executive Director Dr. Kevin Morris and then-PhD student Jess Sparks right before their presentation on this research in 2017.