In this episode of "Speaking of Pets," hosts Alice and Janet explore the profound effects of the human-animal bond with special guest Steven Feldman, president of the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). Join us as we delve into the scientific research that underscores the myriad benefits pets provide, from lowering blood pressure to aiding in autism therapy.

Steven shares his journey into the fascinating world of animal research, highlighting how HABRI was founded to support the vital studies that demonstrate the positive impacts of pets on our lives. Discover the groundbreaking research they sponsor, including the effects of service dogs on children with autism and the heartwarming stories of therapy animals transforming lives.

We also discuss the surprising findings from various studies, including the benefits of having cats, the role pets play in reducing loneliness among seniors, and the potential physical health impacts of pet ownership. Steven emphasizes the importance of science in advocating for pet-friendly policies and the need for community support to strengthen the human-animal bond.

Listeners will be inspired by anecdotes from both hosts and Steven, as they share personal experiences and insights into how pets enrich our lives. From the challenges of pet-friendly housing policies to the significance of therapy animals in settings like airports and assisted living facilities, this episode is packed with enlightening discussions and heartfelt stories.

Tune in to learn more about the incredible work being done to bridge the gap between pets and people, and find out how you can contribute to this important cause. Whether you're a pet owner or simply an animal lover, this episode is sure to resonate with you!

Visit their website at https://habri.org/ and watch their series about the human/animal bond “The Woofice” here: https://youtu.be/psjQV4LvE2Y?si=Z6QvO1OSZB_tKbcN

---

As a veterinarian who is a board certified allergist & dermatologist, Dr. Alice Jeromin has certainly seen her share of scratching pets. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to stop the itching BEFORE it starts? VetriMax Allergy CZN Soft Chews are an allergy defense supplement designed to do just that! This high potency, clinically proven supplement boosts dogs’ natural defenses against allergens & illness, and dogs love them! Allergy CZN with ImmunoRISE® is a proprietary blend of probiotics, essential fatty acids, Vitamin C, quercetin and zinc and is specifically formulated for dogs 20 lbs. or more that are prone to itchy, irritated skin due to an allergic response. Proudly manufactured in the USA with Good Manufacturing Practices/cGMP in FDA-registered facilities, VetriMax Allergy CZN soft chews help stop the itching before it starts….and makes it better for you & your pet.

Check out their products at VetrimaxProducts.com or visit Chewy.com and use promo code VETRIMAX15 for 15% off your order of VetriMax Products.

---

Support our sponsor for this episode Blue Buffalo by visiting bluebuffalo.com. BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet formulas offer the natural alternative in nutritional therapy. At Blue Buffalo, we have an in-house Research & Development (R&D) team with over 300 years’ experience in well-pet and veterinary therapeutic diets, over 600 scientific publications, and over 50 U.S. patents. At Blue Buffalo, we have an in-house Research & Development (R&D) team with over 300 years’ experience in well-pet and veterinary therapeutic diets, over 600 scientific publications, and over 50 U.S. patents.

---

The Country Critter Journal's Mission since March 2000 has always been to connect all those in our animal community to each other. Rescue Groups, Farms, Parks, Groomers/Trainers and all types of animal services, you name it.

Join us in 2025 to make this the best year of all for all our animal communities by visiting the Country Critter Journal website: https://neoccj.com/

---

All footage is owned by SLA Video Productions.