Purina helps fund human-animal bond research

ST.
LOUIS — Nestlé Purina PetCare announced it has awarded $120,000 in grants to four scientific research projects in the United States, Canada and Austria to support evidence of the deep impact dogs and cats have on the lives of their owners and families.

The grants were made possible through the biannual Purina Sponsorship for Human-Animal Bond Studies program.
Scientists for each project will be given $30,000 to support their research.

Recipients of the 2024 Human-Animal Bond Studies grants include:

• Genetics of Canine Hyper-Sociability & Impact on Adoptability of Shelter Dogs, led by Bridgett M.
  vonHoldt of Princeton University, United States
• The Effect of Touch in Human-Canine Interactions, led by Katrina Merkies of the University of Guelph, Canada
• Attachment to Pets Among Women with a History of Childhood Abuse, led by Magdalena Żebrowska of the Medical University of Vienna, Austria
• Can Dogs Improve Students’ Wellbeing Without Harming Their Own, led by Tracy A.
  Doucette of the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada

“Science is most impactful when it is shared, and we are committed not only to studying the human-pet bond at Purina through our in-house research, but through partnerships with renowned institutions and by supporting individuals who share our passion for pets and commitment to pet welfare,” said François Martin, Ph.D., manager of global pet behavior and welfare at Purina.
“Working with researchers worldwide helps us better understand the impact and importance of our relationships with pets and how we can continue to improve the unique bond that we share with them.”

According to the company, this is just one of many research projects in which Purina invests more than $100 million annually.

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