Education & Volunteer Programs
CSHD 189: Human-Animal Interaction in Childhood and Adolescence, Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study and Human Development, School of Arts & Sciences
APP 501: Animals & Society, Human-Animal Interaction Seminar, Center for Animals and Public Policy, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
VET 106: Human-Animal Relationships Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
EXP 0027: Human/Animal Studies Experimental College, School of Arts & Sciences
M.S. in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) at the Center for Animals and Public Policy
2023-2024 TIHAI Student Scholars Program
Applications are open for the TIHAI Scholars Program!
The Tufts Initiative for Human-Animal Interaction (TIHAI) at the Center for Animals and Public Policy is currently accepting proposals for the 2023-2024 Human-Animal Interaction (HAI) Student Scholars Program.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, the Scholars Program will focus on covering the costs to support student-led therapy animal programming on any of the Tufts campuses. Students can apply for Paws for People therapy animal teams to support an event for your student organization or group. To apply, please send the following information to hai@tufts.edu:
- Your name and group/organization
- Campus and specific location (approval from location to host the event will be required prior to award)
- Requested date for event *please note that we typically need at minimum 6 weeks of advance notice to schedule events*
- Expected number of people attending
- Any additional details
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all funds have been awarded; students are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. Events can be scheduled for the fall or spring semester.
Research Assistant Positions
The Pets and Well-Being Lab is currently hiring research assistants for a new study. Please visit the lab website for more information. If you are a Tufts student who would like to be connected with HAI research positions, please email hai@tufts.edu.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering with Tufts Paws for People, please visit the Ways to Volunteer page.
If you are a Tufts student interested in outreach or service learning opportunities, please contact the Cummings-Tisch Civic Life Coordinator, Erin King at erin.king@tufts.edu.
Student Groups at Tufts
For Tufts students who are interested in human-animal interaction, there are a number of related student-led groups across the university that provide opportunities for participating in various activities involving human and animal well-being.
Tufts Pre-Veterinary Society:
The Tufts University Pre-Veterinary Society is a pre-professional organization on campus comprised of students interested in entering the field or related fields of veterinary medicine. We seek to provide resources and opportunities for members to gain experience and knowledge about a career in veterinary medicine. Some of our events include presentations and panels from speakers in the veterinary or animal fields, journal clubs, hands-on activities such as our annual Suture Lab, off-campus visits to the vet school and Franklin Park Zoo, and more. We welcome all students interested in veterinary medicine or even just passionate about animals! For more information visit the Tufts Pre-Vet Society here.
Tufts Chapter of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA)
Tufts’ Chapter of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) is a group on the Grafton campus that is a subset of the national American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). National SAVMA is an organization that gives students a voice in organized veterinary medicine and connects students across veterinary schools across the country. Additionally, the Tufts’ chapter provides support for students to expand their learning through funding travel to externships, conferences, and summer opportunities. Tufts’ SAVMA is also the head of all the clubs on the Grafton campus, providing guidelines and support to various groups that encompass many aspects of veterinary medicine. A list of all the clubs under SAVMA can be found on the SAVMA website here.
Tufts Animal Welfare Club:
Tufts Animal Welfare is on a mission to raise awareness of animal maltreatment to Tufts and the greater community, to teach people to live their lives more conscious of the animals they indirectly affect, and to discuss ethical and political policies regarding animals. They meet once a week to discuss different animal welfare topics and they put on events with the goal of furthering their missions. Visit Tufts Animal Welfare site here or the Facebook page here.
Tufts Animal Aid:
Animal Aid pairs volunteer undergraduate students with dogs in the nearby Medford/Somerville area to walk on a weekly basis. Walking is a semester-long commitment, and interested students are able to designate their top choices/schedules at the beginning of each semester. For more information and to stay up-to-date about Animal Aid events (such as our annual Puppy Palooza), subscribe to our e-list or email lcsanimalaid@gmail.com. Visit our website here.
Tufts Equestrian Team:
The Tufts Equestrian Team is a club team that competes in hunt-seat equitation style IHSA competitions in Zone 1 Region 4 of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). We attend approximately 8 regional shows per year. Our team is made up of about 20 riders from every class year, varying academic majors, and many different riding backgrounds. We encourage riders of all levels of experience to try out and join our team! Email us at tuftseqlessons@gmail.com or visit our website here.