MADISON, NJ--Pfizer Animal Health and American Humane Association today
announced a partnership to conduct a study on the impact of
animal-assisted therapy on pediatric oncology patients, as well as on
their parents, caregivers, siblings, and other close family members.
The partnership — which includes a $282,000 grant from Pfizer and the
Pfizer Foundation — exemplifies the strategic goal of both organizations
to better quantify in clinical terms what many in health care already
realize as the extraordinary power of the human-animal bond.
“This important research will measure the impact of animal-assisted
therapy on pediatric oncology patients and their families, thus
furthering the fields of research on human-animal interaction and
integrated therapies for conditions such as cancer in children,” said J.
Michael McFarland, DVM, Diplomate ABVP and Group Director of Veterinary
Medical Services & Corporate Citizenship for Pfizer Animal Health. “We
are proud to be part of the work that American Humane Association is
doing — showing the far-reaching benefits of pets to our society.”
This partnership with American Humane Association’s Child Protection
Research Center and Animal-Assisted Therapy Program is an example of the
Pfizer Animal Health Commitment to Veterinarians platform — which
addresses the many challenges facing the veterinary profession through
training and education, research and development, investing in the
future, philanthropic efforts and the development of understanding
around the human-animal bond.
Over the next three years, American Humane Association and Pfizer Animal
Health will work with a total of 150 children at up to five hospitals or
clinical settings throughout the United States that treat children with
cancer. Researchers will examine the medical, behavioral and mental
health benefits of animal-assisted therapy to quantify the effect on the
family as a whole.
“Anyone who has ever seen a child turn to her pet for solace during a
difficult time knows that a beneficial interaction is taking place
there,” said Robin R. Ganzert, Ph.D., president and chief executive
officer of American Humane Association. “Our goal is to fully
understand, from a scientific perspective, what is happening in these
types of interactions with children undergoing cancer treatment. The
question we are looking to answer is: In what ways can animal-assisted
therapy improve the health and well-being of children — and their
families — in their fight against cancer?”
Pfizer Animal Health also has recently become a Founding Partner in
HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Initiative) Foundation, which will
deliver data, a central hub of research, awareness and evidence-based
education about the impact of the human-animal bond. And, in 2009,
Pfizer Animal Health funded a study to be completed this year that will
formally measure clinical outcomes from therapy dog interactions with
adult patients in inpatient oncology treatment and outpatient
chemotherapy infusion settings. The study is being led by the Good Dog
Foundation at the Continuum Cancer Centers of New York at Beth Israel
Medical Center.
Pfizer Inc.: Working together for a healthier world™
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to improve health
and well-being at every stage of life. We strive to set the standard for
quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and
manufacturing of medicines for people and animals. Our diversified
global health care portfolio includes human and animal biologic and
small molecule medicines and vaccines, as well as nutritional products
and many of the world's best-known consumer products. Every day, Pfizer
colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance
wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most
feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as the
world's leading biopharmaceutical company, we also collaborate with
health care providers, governments and local communities to support and
expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For
more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who
rely on us. To learn more about our commitments to animal health, please
visit us at www.pfizerAH.com.
About American Humane Association
Since 1877, the historic American Humane Association has been at the
forefront of virtually every major advancement in protecting children,
pets and farm animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we’re also
leading the way in understanding human-animal interaction and its role
in society. As the nation’s voice for the protection of children and
animals, American Humane Association reaches millions of people every
day through
groundbreaking research, education, training and
services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and
businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane
Association at www.americanhumane.org
today.
Pfizer Inc.:
Rick Goulart
(212) 733-7457
Rick.goulart@Pfizer.com
or
American Humane Association:
Mark Stubis
(202) 677-4227
Mobile: (202) 380-8964
marks@americanhumane.org