As part of the university’s successful Carnegie Community Engagement Classification application process, the Office of Research and Engagement has compiled a list of fifty of UT’s best community-campus partnerships. The university will be celebrating its status as an engaged institution throughout the coming year by featuring these individual examples in articles that highlight their unique contribution to the community. This week two partnerships are in the spotlight.
CAIT (Companion Animal Initiative in Tennessee)
To improve the lives of companion animals and reduce the surplus of cats and dogs in Tennessee, CAIT aims to educate the public on humane practices and promote spay and neuter initiatives. CAIT brings communities together to find solutions to pet issues, such as animal hoarding, dog fighting, puppy mills, and other forms of animal abuse.
H.A.B.I.T. (Human Animal Bond in Tennessee)
H.A.B.I.T. is an animal-assisted interaction program that sponsors community programs for all ages, in a variety of settings, such as nursing and retirement homes, assisted-living centers, hospitals, mental-health facilities, physical rehabilitation centers, and child and family services centers. Animal-assisted interaction provides an opportunity to create relationships between animals and people that assist in creating better mental and physical well-being.
Read more about these partnerships at the Office of Engagement and Outreach.