At a time when loneliness and isolation seem as widespread as ever, the bonds between humans and animals offer a powerful reminder that healing often begins with connection.

As interest in these relationships grows, so too does the need to better understand them through research. With the theme “Healing Connections Between Humans and Animals,” the Second Philippine Human-Animal Bond Conference (PHABCON) gathered more than 200 healthcare professionals, researchers, students, veterinarians, and advocates in person for the first time at Ateneo de Manila University’s Leong Hall last May 30. The event was a celebration of the university’s long-standing support for animal-assisted services and evidence-based approaches to mental health and well-being.

The conference was especially meaningful as it marked the tenth anniversary of Communitails as well as the birthday of its late founder, Dr. Carla Azucena. Since its founding in 2016, Communitails has grown into a vibrant community dedicated to advancing ethical and professional animal-assisted services in the Philippines through research, training, and community engagement.

Research as service to humanity and animals

It is at this intersection of compassion, care, and inquiry that Dr. Filomeno V. Aguilar, Ateneo de Manila University Assistant Vice President for Research, Creative Work, and Innovation, situated his opening remarks. He underscored the need for research that serves people, animals, and communities.

“PHABCON carries this work forward by inviting us to imagine how research can better serve humanity, animal welfare, and the wider world we share. After all, research, at its best, is an act of service,” Dr. Aguilar said.

He noted that research on the human-animal bond deepens our understanding of care and well-being. He also acknowledged and praised Communitails’ pioneering efforts in advancing animal-assisted services in the Philippines, and thanked the organization for helping the Ateneo create safe, inclusive, and evidence-informed spaces for healing.

A heartfelt highlight was the keynote address of Raj Mariwala, Director of the Mariwala Health Initiative in India and founder of Citizen K9 India. In “Across Species, Across Care: Rethinking Healing Together,” Mariwala spoke about the importance of trust, communication, consent, and respect in nurturing healthy relationships between humans and animals. Sharing stories and lessons from work in canine behavior, mental health, and disability justice, Mariwala inspired participants to create communities of care that honor the well-being of both.

“I love working with dogs and cats because it continuously reminds me that well-being is relational: it doesn't happen in isolation. Dogs don't become confident alone; humans don't heal alone,” they said.

Researching the future of human-animal relationships

The conference also showcased emerging research on the many ways people and animals enrich each other’s lives. Presenters shared studies on animal-assisted interventions in educational and healthcare settings, the experiences of foster pet owners and animal rescuers, the role of companion animals on well-being, and innovative approaches to animal welfare, elder care, and community engagement. Each presentation added a new layer to our understanding of how these bonds contribute to health, resilience, and connection.

As Communitails celebrates ten years, PHABCON 2026 brought together researchers, practitioners, and institutions with a renewed sense of purpose and partnership. The conference united participants with a collective belief in the healing power of the human-animal bond and the promise of research to create, as Dr. Aguilar framed it, “a world made gentler, wiser, and more whole through research and care.”

To learn more about Communitails or to schedule a possible visit by a Human Animal Team (HAT), visit communitails.com, fb.com/communitails or instagram.com/communitails_ph, or email communitailsinc@gmail.com.

To learn more about joining Communitails’ Animal-Assisted Services (AAS) Training and Human-Animal Team (HAT) Assessment, please fill out the interest form at https://forms.gle/eYJ5wFDfgZWFQp1z8