ABSTRACT
Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) is a volunteer-based animal assisted intervention program sponsored by the University of Tennessee (UT) College of Veterinary Medicine. Started in 1986 by veterinarian Dr. John New, HABIT coordinates volunteers with medically and behaviorally screened dogs, cats, and rabbits with agencies that want visits from therapy animals. HABIT volunteer teams routinely visit hospitals, schools, courts, assisted living facilities, and many other types of agencies; we even have volunteers who visit accountants during tax season! As of this writing, HABIT has over 600 volunteer handler-animal teams and approximately 300 facilities that receive HABIT visits.
