HABRI recognizes the film’s role in advancing national understanding of the human-animal bond
LAS VEGAS, NV, UNITED STATES, August 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Unspoken Bond, the feature-length documentary created by advocate Jackie Ducci, directed by Don Hardy, and produced by KTF Films, has received the 2026 Human Animal Bond Innovation Award for Media from the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), recognizing the film’s contribution to advancing awareness of the powerful connection between humans and animals.
The award was presented Aug. 12th during HABRI’s Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards ceremony at SuperZoo in Las Vegas.
The Human Animal Bond Innovation Awards recognize individuals, companies, and organizations outside the pet space advancing the human-animal bond and strengthening the role of pets in society. The Media Award honors creative content that educates audiences and illuminates the profound impact animals have on human lives.
“HABRI is excited to recognize Jackie Ducci, director Don Hardy, and KTF Films for the Unspoken Bond Documentary, as Human Animal Bond Innovation Award winners,” said Steve Feldman, HABRI President. “The human-animal bond’s mental and physical health benefits are on full display in this powerful documentary.”
Unspoken Bond was recognized alongside six other 2026 honorees: Dogs on Deployment and The Arizona Pet Project in the Public Service category; the City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department in the Pet-Inclusive Culture category; Roehl Transport in the Pet-Inclusive Infrastructure category; and Lovedogs 360 Foundation and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in the International category.
“Unspoken Bond is sparking exactly the conversation we hoped it would,” said Jackie Ducci, creator and executive producer of the documentary and founder of The Human-Animal Alliance. “Animals have an extraordinary ability to help us navigate difficult times and experience authentic connection and love, yet the vital importance of their role in our lives is often overlooked. We’re incredibly honored that HABRI recognized this film and the powerful stories of the human-animal bond shared by everyone who trusted us through their participation.”
At a time when loneliness, addiction, and post-traumatic stress are increasingly recognized as public health challenges, Unspoken Bond explores how relationships with animals can transform – and even save – lives.
The 80-minute documentary follows three individuals whose lives were fundamentally changed through their relationships with animals:
Shannon Dueck, a Wellington dressage rider, rebuilt her sense of purpose after the devastating loss of her Grand Prix horse.
Nicole Navarro, founder of Pawsitive Beginnings Fox Sanctuary, transformed her own recovery journey into a sanctuary that now supports other trauma survivors.
Jason Gaver, a combat veteran who found his way back to connection and fatherhood through his partnership with a trained service dog.
Unspoken Bond was filmed across Florida, North Carolina, and Colorado and combines intimate storytelling with emerging research demonstrating how animals can reduce stress, combat isolation, and foster healing. Rather than focusing solely on scientific findings, the film brings those discoveries to life through authentic human experiences.
“This recognition from HABRI is especially meaningful because it comes from an organization at the forefront of advancing research on the human-animal bond,” said Don Hardy, director of Unspoken Bond and founder of KTF Films. “Our goal was to tell honest, deeply personal stories that would resonate with audiences and encourage people to think differently about the role animals play in our lives.”
About Unspoken Bond
Unspoken Bond is a feature-length documentary exploring the transformative power of the human-animal bond through the deeply personal stories of individuals whose lives were changed through relationships with animals. Created and executive produced by Jackie Ducci and produced by KTF Films, the film highlights the healing, resilience, and connection that can exist beyond words. Learn more at UnspokenBondFilm.com.
About Jackie Ducci
Jackie Ducci is a nationally recognized advocate for human-animal connection, creator and executive producer of the Unspoken Bond documentary, and host of The Unspoken Bond Podcast. Her work is rooted in her lifelong connection with animals and a mission to illuminate the role they play in people’s lives. She is the founder of The Human-Animal Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit directly funding programs that recognize animals as essential partners in healing, connection, and purpose. Through her advocacy, philanthropy, and storytelling, Ducci works to advance a greater understanding of the importance of human-animal relationships.
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