Human-Animal Bond Inc

TO CONDUCT RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING IN THE AREA OF THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND WITH THE OUTCOME OF BENEFITING THE HUMAN AND ANIMAL CONDITION.

SERVICE DOG TRAINING AND PLACEMENT: 21 DOGS PARTICIPATED IN PROGRAM WITH 5 DOGS BEING PART OF BREEDING PROGRAM 9 PUPPIES REMAINED WITH COMMUNITY FOSTERS FOR CONTINUED SOCIALIZATION AND BASIC OBEDIENCE TRAINING FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR AND THEN MOVED TO THE FCI MORGANTOWN PRISON PROGRAM FOR THE REMAINING 6 MONTHS FOR MORE ADVANCED TRAINING. AT ANY ONE TIME 10-15 INMATES AND 2 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM. WE CONTINUED TO OFFER ON-LINE AND IN PERSON SERVICE DOG TRAINING CLASSES THROUGH WVU WITH APPROXIMATELY 200 STUDENTS PARTICIPATING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. TWO OF THE BREEDING DOGS WERE EVALUATED AND BRED DURING THE YEAR WITH 13 PUPPIES EXPECTED EARLY IN 2024. CONTINUED SUPPORT WAS GIVEN TO VETERAN SERVICE DOG TEAMS AND UNIVERSITY VISITATION TEAMS WITH RE-CERTIFICATION AS NECESSARY. WE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH 2 VETERANS TOWARD PLACEMENT WITH A SERVICE DOG.

THE JASMINE PROJECT AT QUARRY RUN: WE CONTINUED WITH PROPERTY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT THE QUARRY RUN PROPERTY FOCUSING MAINLY ON LANDSCAPING THIS YEAR.

REHABILITATION AND SPECIAL EDUCATION (DISABILITY AWARENESS): WE CONTINUED TO CONDUCT DISABILITY AWARENESS OUTREACH BOTH ON CAMPUS AND IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT 2023. NINE THERAPY DOGS PARTICIPATED DAILY ON CAMPUS FOR STRESS REDUCTION AMONG STUDENTS AND FACULTY/STAFF. DOGS WERE TAKEN TO NUMEROUS ON CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDING SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE ROLES AND VALUE OF ASSISTANCE DOGS IN MOBILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH REHABILITATION AND WELLNESS. CONTACT HOURS EXCEEDED 8,000. ONE OF THE DOGS CONTINUED ITS MISSION OF SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE ONCOLOGY WARD AT WVU CHILDRENS HOSPITAL.

RIDGEWAY FARM: THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND CONTINUED TO SUPPORT AND MANAGE THE CHEAT LAKE FARMERS MARKET, WHICH HOSTED AN AVERAGE OF 10 VENDORS PER WEEK AND SERVED AS A VALUABLE SOURCE OF LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE FOR UP TO 200 COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO OFFER COMMUNITY GARDEN SPOTS, WITH FIVE GROUPS PARTICIPATING. AMONG THEM, ONE GROUP FOCUSED ON GROWING AND SELLING HERITAGE SEEDS. PROPERTY ENHANCEMENTS INCLUDED THE ADDITION OF A NATIVE POLLINATOR GARDEN. THE ORGANIZATION FURTHER IMPROVED THE HORSE BARN AND RIDING RING AREA, INITIATED PLANNING FOR FUTURE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, AND BEGAN LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR A THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM. OUR EFFORTS TO RENOVATE THE FARM HOUSE ARE ONGOING, WITH THE AIM OF TRANSFORMING IT INTO A SPACE FOR CLASSES AND EVENTS. COURSES ARE CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT TO TEACH NUTRITION IN THE HOMES KITCHEN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITYS OBESITY CLINIC.