International spotlight turns to local pets and people

BELLARINE-based initiatives promoting the human-animal bond will take the spotlight tomorrow when international delegates visit the region.

Cherished Pets will host delegates from the International Association of Human Animal Interactions Organisations (IAHAIO) when they visit Australia for the International Society of Anthrozoology Conference, which is being held in Sydney next week.

IAHAIO is the global association of organisations that engage in practice, research and/or education in animal assisted activity, therapy, and service animal training.

These activities serve to promote pet ownership, the human-animal bond, and respectful approaches to engaging with animals.

Cherished Pets founder, veterinarian Dr Alicia Kennedy, said she was delighted to be receiving this attention from an international organisation such as IAHAIO, as it confirmed that their ground-breaking service to support pets of the elderly, and people living with disabilities, was indeed making its mark.

During the visit, Cherished Pets will host IAHAIO’s President, Prof Marie Jose Enders- Slegers, and VP

Development Prof Brinda Jegatheesan.

Dr Kennedy will tomorrow (Friday) include a visit to Cherished Pets’ GenU Community Inclusion Puppy Classes and to meet a Cherished Pets client, volunteer and cherished pet to see the animal-human bond being nurtured first hand.

In the afternoon, Cherished Pets are collaborating with their friends at The Winged Horse Equine Welfare Centre to host an afternoon tea, where the learnings and experiences of this important, emerging field in human animal health will be shared.