The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative (HABRI) Launches HABRI Central At Global Pet Expo

The most extensive online resource hub for human-animal bond research debuts March 1.

ORLANDO, Fla., March 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Debuting at Global Pet Expo, the nation's largest pet industry trade show, HABRI Central (habricentral.org) is the place to go for all data collection, research and collaboration for human-animal bond studies. The online resource is made possible by The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (HABRI) in collaboration with the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and Purdue Libraries.

HABRI Central provides researchers, medical practitioners, health and pet-industry professionals and pet owners easy access to a comprehensive bibliography and repository of scholarly material, an online publishing platform for peer-reviewed content and a virtual collaborative community for those involved in studies of the human-animal bond. Some topics currently featured in the ever-expanding database include how pets affect humans with autism, Alzheimer's, depression, coronary heart disease and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There is also a wealth of information available pertaining to the benefits pets have on the health and well being of people.

"The recent influence of human-animal bond studies has expanded quickly into vast industries and fields, many of which can benefit immensely from learning and knowing more about how the human-animal bond affects us," said Bob Vetere, APPA and HABRI president. "HABRI Central allows the wider public to join the extensive research community and access existing findings on the subject as well as collaborate and perpetuate new breakthroughs and valuable discussions."

HABRI Central is built on the HUBzero software platform for scientific collaboration, developed at Purdue University with support from the National Science Foundation. The HUBzero platform is used by more than 30 hubs in a multitude of fields for scientific collaboration and as a research repository. HABRI Central is overseen by Dr. Alan Beck, Director of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine's Center for the Human-Animal Bond and Charles Watkinson, Director of Purdue University Press and is managed by Christopher Charles, HABRI Central Project Manger also of Purdue.

The HABRI Central team also includes information scientists and technologists from Purdue University, and Editorial and Management Advisory Boards composed of leading researchers, non-profit and industry leaders.

HABRI Central is the first funded project of the HABRI Foundation, which was formally launched at Global Pet Expo last year. HABRI is a national, non-profit foundation dedicated to promoting the positive role animals play in the health and well being of people, families and communities. Founded by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Petco and Pfizer Animal Health along with support from Steering Committee members and Association Supporters, HABRI works to educate, inform, advocate and support research and funding for human-animal bond related initiatives.

Steering Committee members and Associations Supporters include:

Steering Committee members:
American Humane Association (AHA); American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); Central Garden and Pet; Hartz; Hill's Pet Nutrition; Morris Animal Foundation; Natural Balance; PetSmart; Radio Systems Corporation; Segrest Farms, funded by Allan Levey; Sergeants and WellPet.

Association Supporters:
Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC).

About HABRI: Human Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (HABRI) is a broad coalition of companies, organizations, entities and individuals whose mission is to achieve formal, widespread scientific recognition that validates and supports the positive roles of pets and animals in the integrated health of families and communities, leading to informed decisions in human health. For more information and to sign up for our newsletter visit habri.org.

CONTACT: Jill O'Driscoll
[email protected]
(775) 322-4022 X 107

SOURCE The Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative Foundation (HABRI)