Hill’s Pet Nutrition and HABRI Partner to Advance Science of Human-Animal Bond

Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) have announced a strategic collaboration dedicated to expanding scientific research around the physiological, psychological, and behavioral impacts of the human-animal bond.

The partnership bridges clinical veterinary medicine, companion animal nutrition, and human health science. By generating peer-reviewed empirical evidence, the joint initiative aims to demonstrate how strong human-pet relationships directly influence pet wellness, elevate veterinary care adherence, and improve health outcomes “at both ends of the leash.”

Strategic Objectives & Research Focus

While the therapeutic benefits of companion animals are widely recognized, empirical data connecting the depth of the human-animal bond to specific animal health behaviors remains a growing field of study. The Hill’s–HABRI collaboration focuses on expanding research across several critical vectors:

• Veterinary Compliance & Preventive Care: Quantifying how bonded pet owners interact with veterinary services—including compliance with routine wellness exams, diagnostic screenings, and vaccination protocols.

• Nutritional Adherence & Long-Term Health: Evaluating the correlation between strong human-animal attachment and owner adherence to science-led, therapeutic, and age-specific nutritional regimens.

• Physiological & Psychological Outcomes: Studying measurable health indicators—such as stress biomarker reduction, cardiovascular function, and cognitive health—in both humans and pets.

• Translational Veterinary Medicine: Developing actionable clinical guidelines for veterinary teams to evaluate the human-animal bond during routine consultations, using it as a diagnostic and compliance lever.

Executive Perspectives

“At Hill’s Pet Nutrition, our mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets, and we are proud to partner with HABRI to support research that deepens our understanding of the many ways companion animals contribute to human health and well-being.” — Yvonne Hsu, President of Hill’s Pet Nutrition

“Joining together, HABRI and Hill’s Pet Nutrition will help pet owners and veterinarians better understand and leverage the bond for health at both ends of the leash. With the support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, HABRI will continue to expand the body of evidence that demonstrates the power of the human-animal bond to improve the health and well-being of people, pets and communities.” — Steven Feldman, President of HABRI

Key Industry Implications

1. Elevating Veterinary Practice Standards

Veterinary clinics increasingly face challenges with treatment plan compliance, especially regarding long-term therapeutic nutrition and chronic disease management. By establishing a clear link between bond strength and care quality, veterinary professionals gain evidence-based strategies to educate pet owners. Assessing the human-animal bond becomes a core clinical tool rather than a secondary consideration.

2. Scientific Validation over Anecdotal Evidence

HABRI has funded more than 60 research projects across global institutions. Partnering with Hill’s Pet Nutrition—which employs nearly 200 veterinarians, PhD nutritionists, and food scientists—ensures future studies maintain rigorous clinical methodology, peer-reviewed standards, and actionable translational outcomes.

3. Economic Impact on One Health & Pet Insurance

Data collected through HABRI demonstrates that companion animal ownership accounts for an estimated $22.7 billion in annual healthcare cost savings in the United States alone. Demonstrating that bonded pet owners provide better preventive care reinforces arguments for integrating pet-friendly policies into workplace wellness, public health strategies, and pet insurance models.

Research & Data Snapshot