Purina, a global leader in pet care, has awarded $120,000 in research grants to three international scientific teams to advance understanding of the human-pet bond and its impact on well-being. Each chosen project will get up to $40,000 from the 2026 Purina Sponsorship for Human-Animal Bond Studies program, which will fund new research in Hungary and the United States.
Purina’s emphasis on producing evidence that can enhance lives in significant and frequently disadvantaged environments is reflected in the recently revealed cohort. Through the first large-scale observational research on cat separation behaviours, the studies will investigate how pets improve emotional well-being for youngsters receiving cancer treatment, aid in the healing process for survivors of intimate partner violence, and provide fresh insight into feline mental health.
Science is most impactful when it is shared,” said Dr. Annie Valuska, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and Principal Scientist on the Pet Behavior Team at Purina. “We are committed not only to advancing the study of the human-pet bond through our in-house research, but also by supporting investigators around the world who share our passion for improving the lives of pets and the people who love them. These studies stand to deepen our understanding of the human-pet bond in some of life’s most challenging moments.”
Purina selected the 2026 award recipients after reviewing over 100 research submissions. Studies that looked at how pets help people in vulnerable situations, how human-animal interactions impact pets’ well-being, and ways to increase understanding of the special bond between humans and cats were given preference.
Under the direction of Dr. Jennifer A. Wagman of the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, one of the funded projects will look into how the human-animal link functions in homes where intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs. The 18-month mixed-methods study will evaluate companion animal wellbeing as well as how pets support survivor healing and resilience.
“Receiving this research grant from Purina is an honour for our team,” said Dr. Wagman. “The grant will provide crucial support to study how pets can help survivors of intimate partner violence heal, while also ensuring that the animals themselves are safe and supported. We are excited for the ways this work can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
For the first extensive, direct observational investigation of separation-related problems in companion cats, Dr. Paula Pérez Fraga of Eötvös Lorě University in Budapest received another funding. In order to uncover risk variables such as feline personality traits and owner interaction patterns, the project will gather video submissions and survey data from cat owners globally using a global citizen-science approach. The results should increase the human-cat link by assisting behaviourists, veterinarians, and cat owners in identifying and controlling separation-related behaviours.
Under the direction of Dr. Judit Abdai of the Hungarian Ethology Foundation, the third sponsored project will assess a Remote Canine-Assisted Therapy (RCAT) model for paediatric oncology patients who are unable to engage in in-person therapy because of health hazards.
The study will evaluate mood, motivation, and anxiety results while protecting the welfare of therapy dogs by facilitating safe, in-the-moment engagement with trained therapy dogs. The approach could increase children’s access to animal-assisted therapy in underprivileged and isolated areas around the globe.
The Purina Sponsorship for Human-Animal Bond Studies initiative was established in 2016, and since then, the firm has given $1.2 million to assist global research on the effects of pet interactions on both humans and animals. Purina’s long-term commitment to improving science that enables humans and pets to enjoy better lives together is reinforced by this project, which supports the company’s larger yearly investment of over $100 million in pet nutrition, behaviour, and health research.