Welcome to ReCHAI

Project Funded by:

Collaborators:

People and animals have lived close to one another for centuries. The human animal bond is the strong connection that they feel toward one another. The MU College of Veterinary Medicine is proud of this exciting center based on the growing field of research showing how the human animal bond impacts health in people and animals.

ReCHAI is designed to:

• Develop a program for research and education to study the health benefits of human-animal interaction (HAI).
• Promote the science of HAI.
• Further the understanding and value of the relationship between humans and animals.
• Document evidence demonstrating Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) as a beneficial form of complementary therapy.
• Celebrate and better document the benefits of HAI.
• Foster educational and research opportunities for MU students.
• Collaborate with other centers nationally and internationally to promote HAI.
• Foster public understanding of benefits of HAI.
  

Research Projects:

• "Pet Attachment," Health and Well-Being of Ethnic Elders" studied to what extent ethnic elders are attached to their pets and whether pets are part of their fitness activities.
• "Walking for Healthy Hearts" study motivated residents of public housing to walk with a trained visitor dog.
• “Pet Pals” study of older adults newly relocated to a nursing home.
• "Walk A Hound, Lose A Pound" a community shelter dog walking study providing adults and families with children an innovative way to increase physical activity.
• "Pet Owner Intensive Care Unit Visitation Policies in Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospitals" surveyed VMTH to learn about their policies for owner visitation of pets hospitalized in the ICU.
• "Owner Perceptions of Visits with their Hospitalized Pets" asked dog owners their perspective of visiting their dog while it was hospitalized in the ICU.
• "Ask the Community: Barriers & Facilitators to Exercise & Physical Activity" aims to identify existing exercise and physical activity resources in the community.
• "Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound and Stay Fit for Seniors" studies effects of shelter dog walking on fitness and social support of older adults.