Can interacting with animals actually lower your stress, boost your mood, and improve your physical health? In this episode, host Haven sits down with Karen Armsey, Program Manager for the University of Tennessee’s H.A.B.I.T. (Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee) program - one of the longest-running volunteer animal-assisted intervention organizations in the country.
Following our popular ER Vet episode (#118), we’re turning the focus from pet wellness to the incredible therapeutic power animals have on human health. Karen shares how therapy dogs, cats, and rabbits make a measurable impact on emotional resilience, stress reduction, and overall well-being.
In this episode, we cover:
The Human-Animal Bond: How animal interactions improve mental and physical health
Inside Animal-Assisted Therapy: How therapy animals bring comfort to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and rehab facilities
Therapy Animals vs. Service Animals vs. Emotional Support Animals: Understanding the role and training of therapy pets
The H.A.B.I.T. Story: How Tennessee’s premier volunteer program brings healing through dogs, cats, and rabbits
Actionable Mental Health Benefits: How pet interaction reduces cortisol, anxiety, and feelings of isolation
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