A global conversation on the human animal bond

Dr. Flaisher-Grinberg Brings Human-Animal Bond Research to a Global Conversation

In May 2026, leading professionals in the field of human-animal interactionsfrom around the world came together online with a Saint Francis University professor in the heart of the conversation.

The 1st International Conference, "Shared Spaces: Reciprocity, Vulnerability, and Healing in Human-Animal Relationships," brought together therapists, educators, scholars, and other professionals for a global, interdisciplinary conversation about the complex relationships between humans and animals. Participants explored topics ranging from reciprocity and ethics to trauma, healing, and the future of human-animal relationships.

Among the conference's five organizers was Saint Francis University's Dr. Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg, who also delivered a keynote presentation, "The Neurobiology of the Human-Animal Bond," examining the science behind the powerful connections humans form with animals.

Understanding the Science Behind the Human-Animal Bond

The human-animal bond is commonly understood as a mutually beneficial, dynamic relationship between people and animals-one that can significantly enhance both lives.

In her keynote, Dr. Flaisher-Grinberg explored the growing body of research examining the neurobiological processes that help explain the emotional, cognitive, psychosocial, and physiological effects of human-animal interactions.

Research increasingly suggests that animals possess sophisticated abilities to learn, remember, reason, communicate, and experience complex emotions. These findings challenge longstanding assumptions about animal cognition and encourage deeper consideration of how animals experience and respond to their relationships with people.

Dr. Flaisher-Grinberg's presentation examined several neural networks involved in human-animal interactions, including limbic and subcortical brain circuits such as the amygdala, orbitofrontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. She also discussed regulatory neuromodulators, including oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, and vasopressin, as well as systems such as mirror neurons and processes involving attachment and trauma.

Exploring the Minds of Animals

The presentation also highlighted how advances in research methodology are helping scientists better understand animal minds. Techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) give researchers new opportunities to investigate the neurological processes associated with animal cognition, emotion, and social interaction.

By examining both the similarities and differences between human and animal neurobiology, researchers can gain a more nuanced understanding of what happens when people and animals form meaningful bonds.

Rethinking Human-Animal Relationships

While neuroscience provided an important foundation for the keynote, the conversation extended beyond biology. The conference emphasized the importance of considering ethical and social questions alongside scientific research.

Understanding the complexity of animal cognition, emotion, and relationships invites us to reconsider the roles animals play in human lives-particularly in clinical and therapeutic settings. It also raises important questions about reciprocity: how can human-animal relationships benefit both participants, and how can professionals ensure those relationships are approached with respect, care, and ethical consideration?

Through conversations like these, the "Shared Spaces" conference brought together diverse perspectives and examined human-animal relationships from multiple angles.

A Global Conversation

Dr. Flaisher-Grinberg was joined by keynote speakers Prof. Barbara J. King, Emerita Professor of Anthropology at William & Mary; Prof. Lori Kogan of Colorado State University; Prof. Philip Tedeschi of the Institute for Animal Sentience and Protection at the University of Denver; and Gal Hakim-Asscher of the Human and Animal Institute at Oranim College.

Together with conference participants from around the world, they contributed to a broader conversation about what humans and animals can learn from one another-and how greater understanding of these relationships may contribute to healing, connection, and well-being.

The 1st International Conference "Shared Spaces" offered a valuable opportunity to explore these questions while encouraging continued research and collaboration across disciplines. As our understanding of animal minds and the human-animal bond continues to evolve, conversations like these can help shape a more informed and thoughtful future for the relationships we share with animals.

Students at Saint Francis University interested in exploring topics such as these may want to consider a major in B.S. in Psychological Sciences or minor in Animal Assisted Health and Education.