hai2022: Focus on A for Animal

November 30, 2021

For nearly a decade, The Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys has served to explore and disseminate scientific, scholarly, and practical information among professionals studying or working in humane education, nature-based programs, and medical and mental health fields. The Institute’s most notable event is the two-day Human-Animal Interaction Conference, and plans are well underway for spring of next year.

Organized in partnership with University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work and the Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Green Chimneys will welcome 250 attendees for hai2022 on April 29-30. The 2022 conference theme, “Animal-Assisted Services: Focus on the Animal,” will highlight the role of many species of animals in human services, including those participating in a wide range of environments and with diverse populations. Strengthening the practice of incorporating animals safely, ethically, and effectively is relevant for occupational and mental health therapists, humane educators, equine-assisted service professionals, and many more.

Connect, learn, and share in sessions and on the farm.

“A well-known proverb suggests ‘Tell me and I will forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I will understand.’ This is true for those working with people and animals in human service settings,” explains Michael Kaufmann, head of both the Farm & Wildlife Center and The Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys. “Standing in a pasture, watching real sheep engage with conference attendees, and learning from experts how to optimize the interaction for therapy and education—well, that’s what hai2022 is all about.”

At hai2022, attendees will hear from thought leaders, take part in interactive sessions, audit demonstrations from experienced animal handlers, and observe how Green Chimneys staff combine animals and nature-based programs to support more than 200 children with psychosocial and developmental disabilities in a day school and residential setting.

headshots of five hai2022 conference keynote presenter

Keynote presenters as listed below from left to right.

A comprehensive program of dynamic keynote presentations includes:

  • Mutually Beneficial? When Animals Interact with Us
    H. Marie Suthers, DVM
  • The Intersections Between Animal Welfare and Wider Community Health
    Kevin Morris, Ph.D.
  • Animals and the Stories We Tell
    Michael Yellow Bird, Ph.D.
  • Understanding Animal Behavior: How Conditioning and Training
    Can Improve Quality of Life
    Rebecca Husted, Ph.D.
  • A Global Review of Human Animal Interaction
    Karin Hediger, Ph.D.

Register now and save!

Early-bird registration ends Dec 31, and space is limited. To review the preliminary program or to register, please visit the hai2022 Conference webpage 

The strength and promise of The Sam and Myra Ross Institute is to facilitate understanding, education, and clinical recognition of the significant influence of nature-based therapies, education, and interactions. Hosting educational events such as hai2022 is one way of supporting the community. Participating in research to expand the scope of evidence-based findings is another. The Institute also strives to support future generations of HAI leaders and practitioners through The Henry J. and Erna D. Leir Global Internship program. Each year, interns are selected from across the globe to participate in one of seven focused tracks. Learn more about The Institute