By Hannah Deadman-Arnst, Photos by Aggie Brooks
The Human-Animal Alliance (H-AA) has given $58,000 in grants to three U.S. organizations with an unwavering dedication to the transformative connection between people and animals. The Wellington-based nonprofit announced the news today, timed to International Human-Animal Bond Day.
A $10,500 grant was given to Philadelphia-based Work to Ride, providing camp scholarships for 20 youth to attend a horseback riding camp next summer. The organization gives under-resourced participants access to equestrian sports, education, and mentorship opportunities—inspiring leadership and empowering young people through relationships with horses.
Veteran-run Paws of War in Nesconset, New York received $30,000 to support its War Torn Pups and Cats program. The initiative reunites animals from war-stricken regions with the active-duty U.S. service members who bonded with them overseas. The grant covers critical costs like vaccinations, microchipping, documentation, and customs clearance before the animals are transported to the United States.
“We are all about the human-animal connection, and Paws of War is reuniting animals with the people they bonded with,” said Jackie Ducci, founder of H-AA. “Many [military members] have survivor’s guilt, and they’ve lost that companionship. Returning to civilian life is difficult, so to have that animal back is a source of friendship and makes the transition easier.”
The Philly Goat Project‘s $17,500 grant will help relaunch its All Abilities RAMble program, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. During individual and group sessions with trained staff, participants build confidence and communication through hands-on interaction with therapy goats.
“The Human-Animal Alliance’s generous support makes it possible for us to provide more RAMbles and serve more families with this unique, nature-based, animal-assisted therapeutic offering,” wrote Karen Krivit, director & founder of the Philly Goat Project. “These personalized, free sessions bring joy, encourage agency, and provide a judgment-free community for families to connect.”
For Ducci, the relationship between people and animals isn’t just a feel-good experience—it’s critical to transforming lives and supporting healing and well-being, especially in today’s complex world.
“Animals are a source of connection in such a deep way that’s often overlooked, especially when technology is front and center,” she said. “Whenever I’ve gone through a dark time in my life, I know what my animals have done for me. There’s not a person out there who can’t benefit from that close connection with an animal. To bring that all together through these grants means everything.”
For more information about H-AA’s work supporting grassroots programs across the nation, visit www.h-aa.org.