About IAHAIO

 

	About IAHAIO.
	Purposes of IAHAIO.
	How to Contact IAHAIO.
	IAHAIO Board of Directors.
	Examples of Member Organizations' Activities.

About IAHAIO

IAHAIO, the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations, was founded in 1990 to gather together national associations and related organizations interested in advancing the understanding and appreciation of the link between animals and humans.

The Society is registered in Washington, USA with representatives from four sub-committees co-ordinating membership, conferences, projects, and finance from other associations around the globe.  Details for the current secretary are given below.

The Association's main role is to provide a helpful co-ordinating structure between all member countries. As the worldwide interest and support for this young science increases, IAHAIO's role as a communication link is essential to convey latest research findings and encourage further program development. In addition, the Association has established a series of international awards to acknowledge contributions made by individuals or institutions in the study of the human-companion animal relationship. These include the IAHAIO "Pets in Cities" and "Distinguished Scholar" Awards, which are presented every three years.

Purposes of IAHAIO

IAHAIO is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including without limitation, the following:

IAHAIO Mission

To promote research, education and sharing of information about human-animal interaction and the unique role that animals play in human well-being and quality of life.

Goal One

To promote new research, educational and practical development in the field of human-animal interaction.

Outcomes

Improvements in the quality and quantity of our common body of knowledge
More people will benefit from the increased knowledge and programmes in human-animal interaction 
More animals will benefit from attention to their well-being in
interaction activities
A faster and more effective transfer of information from developed to less-developed parts of the world, eventually leading to a global consensus on the unique role of animals in human well-being and quality of life

Outputs

Peer-reviewed international conferences
Regional conferences, workshops and seminars
Peer-reviewed publications
Other publications such as White Papers, etc.
Awards to recognise excellence and achievements in our field


Goal Two

To provide a forum for sharing ideas and information between IAHAIO member organisations.

Outcomes

Improved effectiveness of member organisations by:
sharing information from past and current projects, to encourage and facilitate the development of similar and new programmes
developing opportunities for joint activities between member organisations

Outputs

Exchange forums at annual meetings
Use of published information from other member organisations after written permission has -been obtained
Links between IAHAIO's and its members' websites


Goal Three

To educate policy makers at local, national and international levels about
the benefits of human-animal interaction.

Outcomes

Positive policies to integrate animals into human society
Recognition of IAHAIO as the official international non-governmental
organisation (NGO) in its field by organisations such as the U.N., WHO,
UNESCO, etc.
Enhanced status of IAHAIO members with policy makers in their own
countries
Political and financial support for human-animal interaction
programmes of IAHAIO members and other organisations sharing our goals in this field

Outputs

Official IAHAIO declarations, resolutions and guidelines
Responses to government position papers and legislative proposals
Educational efforts by IAHAIO officers and member organisations,
through:
personal contact with policy makers
letters to and publications directed at policy makers
publicity to gain public support for positive human-animal interaction policies

How to Contact IAHAIO

If you would like to receive more information about IAHAIO, the associations it represents, specific projects, or how you can get involved, please contact:

IAHAIO Secretary
Dr Andrea M. Beetz
Department of Special Education
Insitut für sonderpädagogische Entwicklungsförderung und Rehabilitation
University of Rostock
August-Babel-Str.28
18055 Rostock
Germany
+49 9131 4000 455
+49 1762 3995 122
E-mail: info@iahaio.org

IAHAIO Board of Directors

 

President

Rebecca A. Johnson, PhD, RN, FAAN

Millsap Professor of Gerontological Nursing
Sinclair School of Nursing
Director
Research Center for Human Animal Interaction
University of Missouri
College of Veterinary Medicine
Columbia, Missouri, USA

Email:

rajohnson@missouri.edu

Websites:

http://www.nursing.missouri.edu/faculty/faculty-profiles/johnsonra/index.php
http://rechai.missouri.edu

Secretary

Andrea Beetz, Dipl.-Psych., Dr. phil.

Department of Special Education
Insitut für sonderpädagogische Entwicklungsförderung und Rehabilitation
University of Rostock, Germany

Email:

andrea.m.beetz@gmail.com

Vice President - Conferences

Marie-José Enders-Slegers, Phd, Msc

Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Utrecht University
PO Box 80140,3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands

Email:

m.j.enders@uu.nl

Vice President - Membership

Jo-Ann Fowler BSocSci (Hons), MSocSci (Cum Laude), Couns Psych.

Director of the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

Email:

jo-ann.fowler@bluecross.org.uk

Website:

www.scas.org.uk

Treasurer

Lawrence (Larry) Norvell (Delta Society - United States)

Vice President - Policy and Finance

Kurt Kotrschal (IEMT - Austria)

For specific questions about IAHAIO, contact: info@iahaio.org
©2011 IAHAIO All rights reserved.