Stockholm - The worlds’ most influential scientific event on the topic of human animal interactions this year is hosted by IAHAIO, the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations. The conference, named People & Animals – For Life, will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on July 1st - 4th. During four days, world-leading scientists will meet to present and discuss the latest research findings on how companion animals affect humans.
MARS Petcare and WALTHAM® Centre for Pet Nutrition are Gold Sponsors of the conference, reaffirming their interest for the Human-Companion Animal Bond and their long-standing commitment to research on human-animal interactions. MARS Petcare’s and WALTHAM®’s extensive support to the field now spans over more than three decades, as affiliates have sponsored all IAHAIO's international conferences.
People & Animals – For Life is the 12th triennial conference hosted by IAHAIO, the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organisations. Official previews of the scientific abstracts to be presented indicate that pets have substantial beneficial impact on several different categories of humans and society as a whole.
Mr. Eskil Erlandsson, the Swedish Minister of Agriculture, will inaugurate the conference, and welcome scientists and practitioners from all over the world, which will present well over a hundred research findings. Themes vary from Multicultural Perspectives of Human Animal Interactions to Animal Assisted Interventions (studies of effects of using pets in therapy programs) and Pets and Human Health.
“MARS fundamentally believes in the significant benefits that pets can bring to people’s lives. For over three decades, MARS have committed to research on human animal interactions. Awareness of and respect for the benefits is now becoming increasingly widespread,” says Robert Kaczmarek, Director of Corporate Affairs Petcare Europe, MARS Petcare.
Official previews of a selection of abstracts and programs to be presented show:
- Walking increase by 30.8 minutes/week when acquiring a dog.
- Children with insecure attachments become calmer in the presence of a friendly dog as opposed to a friendly human during a social stressor.
- A program for overweight people walking shelter dogs illustrate significant increase of physical activity, likely due to higher motivation focusing on shelter dogs rather than self.
- Short-term sensory interaction between dog and owner influence hormonal levels and heart rate in both species.
- Oxytocin and cortisol levels in both owner and dog correlate significantly with owners’ answers to items regarding positive or negative feelings towards their dogs.
For more information about content of the conference and press material, please visit the conference website: www.iahaio2010.com.
About Mars, Incorporated
Mars, Incorporated is a private, family-owned company founded in 1911 and employing more than 65,000 associates at over 370 sites, including 135 factories, in 68 countries worldwide. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, U.S.A., Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest food companies, generating global sales of more than $28 billion annually and operating in six business segments: Chocolate, Petcare, Wrigley Gum and Confections, Food, Drinks, and Symbioscience. These segments produce some of the world’s leading brands: Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Petcare – PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA®, CESAR®, NUTRO®, GREENIES®, and ROYAL CANIN®; Wrigley – ORBIT®, EXTRA®, STARBURST®, DOUBLEMINT® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, EBLY®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience – WISDOM PANEL™, SERAMIS®, CIRKUHEALTH™ and COCOAPRO®.
