Human-Animal Bond Certification

Human-animal bond

The AVMA is proud to be a founding educational partner for the Human-Animal Bond Certification Program offered through the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) and the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC).

This certificate allows veterinary professionals to fully appreciate the science behind the human-animal bond, learn more about its benefits for animals and people, and get practical advice on how to ensure good bonds are built and maintained. It also demonstrates how communicating the bond's benefits to clients can help your patients and your practice. The program's educational modules offer accurate and up-to-date information, helping you to remain the most trusted and reliable resource on animal health and welfare and human-animal relationships for your clients and community.

Good human-animal relationships can yield amazing benefits, including:

  • Reduced anxiety and stress
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Decreased risk of heart disease
  • Prevention of allergies in children
  • Support for children with autism
  • Help for veterans with PTSD
  • Increased social interaction
  • Support for a longer life

Becoming Human-Animal Bond Certified supports your patients, your clients, and your practice. Completing this program also unlocks access to targeted marketing tools and materials to help you attract new pet owners to your practice.

Veterinarians, technicians, and practice managers participating in the program work entirely at their own pace, using online educational modules. To earn the human-animal bond certificate, candidates must:

  • Be a practicing veterinarian, technician or practice manager with a minimum of two years' experience
  • Complete all coursework at your own pace
  • Pass the certification exam

Enroll today

The AVMA has been the think tank for professionals interested in the human-animal bond since the early 1980s, joining veterinarians with physicians, psychologists, lawyers, academics, and researchers to emphasize and explore the importance of good human-animal bonds for both patient and community health. The AVMA's application of its deep expertise in this area includes the development of numerous policies to guide the profession, and educational materials on such topics as pet selection, socialization, dog bite injury prevention, and service, emotional support, and therapy animals.

The AVMA partnered with the HABRI, a nonprofit research and educational organization focused on the health benefits of human-animal relationships, and the NAVC, a nonprofit organization offering continuing professional development for the veterinary community, to launch the Human-Animal Bond Certification Program.

Get started today on the path toward earning your certification in the human-animal bond. By being an AVMA member, you are eligible to receive a 20 percent discount off the program cost. Learn more about the certification program and enroll today.