History
and Mission
The
Center for Applied Ethology and Human-Animal Interaction was
established in 1982 at Purdue University to study these relationships
and to communicate its findings to scientists and the public.
In 1997, the name was changed to Center for the Human-Animal
Bond to reflect the relationship that exists between people
and the animals that share this earth.
The
Human-Animal Bond is the dynamic relationship between people
and animals in that each influences the psychological and physiological
state of the other. Human-animal interaction has profound physiological
consequences. People, in the contact with animals experience
a decrease in blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and a general
feeling of well being. By observing the behavior of animals,
children learn to be more nurturing and perhaps better parents
to their own children. The therapeutic value of animals for
socially isolated individuals in nursing homes, hospitals, hospices,
and prisons has been documented. People in the presence of animals
are often perceived to be more happy and healthy.
Wild,
zoo, farm, and companion animals are an integral component of
our culture and socioeconomic environment. Animal welfare, or
the humane care of animals, is a societal responsibility. However,
there is little information available that relates animal health
and welfare to such factors as genetics, stress, environment,
and husbandry practices. A better understanding of the determinants
of animal well being is needed to optimize the comfort, health,
performance, and sometimes survivability of all animal species.
The
Center is committed to expanding our knowledge of the interrelationships
between people, animals, and their environment. The Center is
concerned with all aspects of human-animal interaction and welfare
including companion, farmed domestic species, and wildlife.
An emphasis is placed on humane ethics in managing our living
resources.
The
major objective of the Center is to foster interdisciplinary
activities in the University by serving as a focal point for
the exchange of ideas and development of new information related
to animal-human interactions and animal welfare.