The Institute for Human-Animal Connection was founded at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work in 2006 to address the critically important relationships between animals and people. Multidisciplinary in focus, it is the first program of its kind within a human services academic setting.

Our mission is to provide an unbiased, academic setting in which to conduct research, training and education, technical assistance and advocacy projects from a human service and animal welfare perspective, based on the values of resiliency, multiculturalism, critical thought, social justice, humane behavior, quality of life and person/animal-in-environment.

Development of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection was made possible by planning grants from the Animal Assistance Foundation and the American Humane Association. Ongoing support for the Institute is provided by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. Aside from indirect support such as office space and administrative supervision from the Graduate School of Social Work, the Institute receives no direct funding from the University of Denver.