Amy Hrin, Ph.D.

Dr. Amy Hrin serves as the national director of American Humane’s Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, supporting veterans and military animals, and the Small Animal Certification program. Over her decade-long tenure at American Humane, Dr. Hrin has created and managed many vital programs that help people in need through the power of the human-animal bond.

Dr. Hrin’s research work has encompassed the design and implementation of rigorous studies to demonstrate the impact of the human-animal bond on both humans and animals. She is the Principal Investigator for the Canines and Childhood Cancer Research study, the Pets in the Classroom study, as well as many more research projects. In 2013, she and her therapy dog were deployed to Boston on behalf of American Humane to provide comfort to the community in the aftermath of the marathon bombings. She is also the owner/handler of Butler, The Weather Channel Therapy Dog, and conducted service missions to bring comfort to communities devastated by natural disasters.

In her capacity as National Director of the Lois Pope LIFE Center for Military Affairs, Dr. Hrin oversees a broad spectrum of programs that are part of American Humane’s century-long work to support the U.S. military. Her work includes reuniting retired military dogs with their handlers, and helping veterans struggling with Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries to obtain lifesaving service dogs. Dr. Hrin is also leading an effort to develop certification standards to ensure the health and well-being of small companion animals.

Dr. Hrin holds a master’s degree from Queens University of Charlotte and a doctoral degree from the University of Denver. She also holds a Veteran Behavioral Health Certificate from the Department of Defense.