Linda Spence, College of Nursing, (517) 353-8684, or
Tom Oswald, University Relations, (517) 355-2281 or oswald@msu.edu
9/27/2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Experts from around the world will gather at Michigan State University to discuss the science behind humans' complex and usually beneficial relationship with animals.
The second annual Human-Animal Bond Initiative Conference, "Cuddle a Critter and Call Me in the Morning," is Oct. 4 and 5 in the Brody Complex on the MSU campus.
During the two-day conference, speakers will focus on such topics as animals as social support providers and the effect animals can have on human stress and emotional well-being.
"We think we know that dogs are good for people's souls," said Lana Kaiser, professor of nursing and director of the initiative. "There's a lot of anecdotal evidence out there, but very little scientific data."
In addition, a number of researchers will present findings on such topics as animal-assisted therapy, coping with the loss of a companion animal, and pets and their ability to help chronically ill children.
"Since 80 percent of families with children in the United States have pets, beneficial effects are important for health care interventions," said Linda Spence, an assistant professor of nursing who led the study on pets and chronically ill kids. "These pets may already be providing unconditional love and non-judgmental acceptance of the children and parents."
Among the featured speakers will be James A. Serpell, professor of humane ethics and animal welfare at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine; Adroaldo J. Zanella, animal behavior specialist and founder of the Animal Behavior and Welfare Program in the MSU Department of Animal Science; and Rebecca Johnson, professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia who conducts research in the areas of human-companion animal bond and wellness.
Founded in 2001, the Human-Animal Bond Initiative brings together faculty from the colleges of Nursing, Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Social Science, and Agriculture and Natural Resources, as well as community members from throughout the state.
The goal of the initiative: to better understand the interactions between humans and animals and to better assess how animals enrich human lives.
The conference is sponsored by MSU's College of Nursing and Department of Animal Science.
For additional information on the Human-Animal Bond Initiative and the conference, access the initiative's Web site at http://nursing.msu.edu/habi/