Enrichment Record 7 - April 2011

Volume 7, APRIL 2011

THE

Global Research Education and Training, LLC RECORD
Email: [email protected] • Website: http://enrichmentrecord.com
IN THIS ISSUE:
10 Top Tips for Happier Animals

Horizons of Enrichment
From Dog Kennels to Rabbit Housing
Environmental Enrichment in the New Guide

4 SPRING 2010 | ENRICHMENTRECORD.COM

THE R E C O R D IN THIS ISSUE | April 2011

EDITORIAL BOARD In Other Words 2
5
Tim Allen, M.S. DFG Honours Alternatives to Animal Testing 7
Animal Welfare Information Center
Leading UK scientist wins NC3Rs prize 9
Genevieve Andrews-Kelly, B.S., LATG for improving lab animal welfare
Huntingdon Life Sciences Happier Animals and Better Data: 12
10 Top Tips
Elizabeth Dodemaide, B.V.Sc., M.A., MACVSc Commentary: 15
Associate Director, Laboratory Animal Services Horizons of Enrichment 16
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey 17
From Dog Kennels to Rabbit Housing
Karen Froberg-Fejko, V.M.D., President, Bio-Serv 18
Research Abstracts
Joanne Gere, Founder, BioScience Collaborative
Environmental Enrichment
G. Scott Lett, Ph.D., CEO, The BioAnalytics Group LLC in the New Guide

Jayne Mackta Enriching Program
President & CEO, Global Research Education & Training LLC
Enriching Profile 19
Emily G. Patterson-Kane, Ph.D.
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Meeting Up! 20
Animal Welfare Division
Upcoming Meetings 21
Kathleen L. Smiler, D.V.M., DACLAM
Consultant, Laboratory Animal Medicine Join the Discussion!

Rhoda Weiner, Weiner & Associates To facilitate informed discussion about environmental enrichment, we have
joined the Linkedin Group called Laboratory Animal Sciences. This group
Joanne Zurlo, Ph.D. allows members of the laboratory animal science community and our readers
Director of Science Strategy to interact over a web-based platform to compare ideas and methods.
The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) To participate, you will need to create a Linkedin account and then join the
Laboratory Animal Sciences Group.
Please direct all inquiries to
Rhoda Weiner, Editor: [email protected] It’s easy! It’s free! It’s a safe and secure place where you can
say what’s on your mind. Click here to get started.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We welcome your comments, observations and contributions New Resource
to The Enrichment Record. Contributors include lab animal
veterinarians, principal investigators, animal care staff, animal National Institutes of Health • Office of Extramural Research
behaviorists, animal technologists and members of the bioscience
community who promote the 4 Rs: reduction, replacement, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) has a new online resource
refinement and respect. for information on nonhuman primate enrichment and social housing.
This resource is provided to assist institutions in enhancing the care and
Share your story ideas with Rhoda Weiner, Editor at well-being of nonhuman primates. You can find new FAQs, a special online
[email protected] seminar, the OLAW report visits to Chimpanzee facilities, a bibliographic guide
Guidelines for authors can be accessed at developed by USDA, NAL, AWIC and more.
http://enrichmentrecord.com/contribute/
Nonhuman Primate Enrichment and Social Housing Resources
Please give credit where credit is due. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/primate_enrichment-social_housing.htm
Outstanding animal care is truly a team effort, and we ask Contact:[email protected]
you to credit colleagues, published reports, articles, and other
reference materials that have contributed to your enrichment article. | 1SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD
Great ideas don’t happen in a vacuum, and we encourage you
to list all sources of inspiration.

The Enrichment Record is not a peer-reviewed journal.
However, the Editorial Board of this E-Zine is composed
of dedicated volunteers who have extensive
experience and expertise in the care of laboratory
animals. Members of the Board are involved with all
aspects of this publication.

The Enrichment Record is published in October, January,
April and July. If you are interested in advertising in
The Enrichment Record, please visit:
http://enrichmentrecord.com/advertise/

Publisher:
GR8 (Global Research Education & Training, LLC)
http://enrichmentrecord.com
Jayne Mackta, President & CEO

In Other Words

A QUARTERLY E-ZINE/FORUM FOR:
Discussing environmental
enrichment in the optimal care
of laboratory animals
Documenting best practices
and approaches for addressing
challenges of implementation
& assessment at every level
Sharing data on the impact
of environmental enrichment
on the science

Building the case for integrating
enrichment into research design

At NJABR’s recent Strategy Summit entitled
Animal Research: Risks & Reality, keynote
speaker Jerrold Tannenbaum cautioned the
audience to be aware of shifts in language that have
tremendous power to affect public perceptions and
ultimately public policy. His focus on enrichment took
me by surprise and got me thinking. He pointed out
that when Russell and Burch introduced their now
famous 3Rs in 1959, the principles of Replacement,
Reduction and Refinement were strategies for
minimizing pain and/or distress in laboratory
animals.

Over the years, the research community has
embraced the 3Rs, which are intrinsic to good
science methodology. We are always seeking
better, faster, more efficient ways to move the
process forward, including seeking ways to replace
animals, reduce the number of animals used, and
refine techniques.

Enrichment is a form of Refinement, which is
described in the New Guide as “modifications of
husbandry or experimental procedures to enhance
animal well-being and minimize or eliminate pain
and distress.” Note the expansion of the concept to
animal well-being.

Enrichment itself has more to do with the animal’s
environment where the emphasis is on promoting
species-specific behaviors, which does affect
well-being and implies minimizing or eliminating pain
and distress. However, the focus on “providing
animals with sensory and motor stimulation” and
promoting “psychological well-being” represents

2 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

quite a shift from the original meaning of the 3Rs and
certainly ramps up the role of enrichment in the humane
care of laboratory animals.

As a community, we need to think about what we say
we are doing and carefully watch our words. We struggle
to equate the 3Rs with the term “alternatives” that is
commonly understood to stand for efforts to replace
animals. For some, replacement has become an end in
itself. I think we must be careful not to let enrichment
become just another weapon in the war of words to end
animal research.

Jayne Mackta, Publisher
President & CEO, Global Research Education
& Training, LLC (GR8)

We’re always
looking for
new ideas!
Share your ideas

with Rhoda Weiner,

Editor at

[email protected]

The Enrichment Record is published quarterly.

If you are interested in advertising in The Enrichment Record,
please visit: http://enrichmentrecord.com/advertise/
or contact Jayne Mackta, Publisher: [email protected]

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| 3SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD



DFG Honours Alternatives
to Animal Testing

Ursula M. Händel Animal Welfare SHAANRIINMGALCAWNELAFDAVRAENCEoqnueyenosJrtutaioiTccTryomohochnnwnmraeelsetiecleaoaEMaalkiniftnnrtnnaetanirdgic.ni@nanckmOfSgohgtesOuaormrseprm,Pr8saoeePsstralt,ntuiuco.ftcctcchoibioosoceRarlnhinemsbese.sat,hlcnaserpoevcerdrrdtiod:rteaothptowniaescmabnoknadleitsnsnsedtal
Prize goes to research teams
from Hamburg and Konstanz

“Basic research can lower
number of experiments”

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG,
German Research Foundation) has once again
honoured scientists who are improving animal
welfare in research. The DFG has awarded the
2011 Ursula M. Händel Animal Welfare Prize
to Dr. Arne Hansen, Alexander Eder, Sebastian
Schaaf und Professor Thomas Eschenhagen
from the University Hospital Hamburg-
Eppendorf, and to Dr. Maria Moreno-Villanueva
and Professor Alexander Bürkle from the
University of Konstanz. Both research teams
have developed innovative methods that make
it possible to significantly decrease the number
of animal experiments. Promoting such
alternative methods is the purpose of the
prize, which is named for its founder Ursula
M. Händel and has now been awarded for the
fourth time. The prize, endowed with 50,000
euros, will be shared between the two
winning teams. It was presented on
January 24 in Berlin, at a DFG event that
brought together scientists, politicians and
the general public for a dialogue on animal
testing and animal welfare.

http://www.dfg.de/en/service/press/press_releases/2011/press_release_no_02/index.html

| 5SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD



Article

A study to reduce stress and anxiety in laboratory mice was award- To facilitate informed
ed the 2010 NC3Rs prize for advances in animal welfare. discussion about environ-
mental enrichment, we
Prize winner Professor Jane Hurst’s research, published in Nature have joined the Linkedin
Methods, has shown that a new way of handling laboratory mice Group called Laboratory
can improve their welfare and the quality of the science they are Animal Sciences.
used for. This group allows members of
the laboratory animal science
Laboratory mice are usually picked up by their tails. Professor community and our readers
Hurst’s study proves this method of handling causes high levels of to interact over a web-based
anxiety and stress which can influence the outcome of experiments. platform to compare ideas and
By simply catching the mice using a plastic tunnel or cupped hands, methods. To participate, you
anxiety can be greatly reduced. will need to create a Linkedin
account and then join the Labo-
The prize winner receives a £10,000 grant, which is sponsored by ratory Animal Sciences Group.
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). Professor Hurst, from the University of Liv-
erpool, plans to use the prize to provide training for scientists and It’s easy! It’s free! It’s a safe
animal care staff on handling methods and also to assess the effects and secure place where you can
of different handling methods on stress physiology.
say what’s on your mind.
http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/news.asp?id=1457 Click here to get started.

| 7SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD



Article by G. Scott Lett, Ph.D. CEO, The BioAnalytics Group LLC
Emily G. Patterson-Kane, Ph.D.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Animal Welfare Division

More and more publications are making the point that animals
have unique species-specific needs and individual sentience—the
implication being that sensitivity to animals’ needs and subjective
experiences may lead to better husbandry and higher quality research.
We have reported in previous issues of The Enrichment Record
about some excellent research that shows the profound beneficial
impacts of enriched environments on research results. Some of
these efforts involved years of research and painstaking experi-
mentation and data collection. Must we all go through such efforts
to get started?

Helen Kelly’s article in ALN magazine (Kelly 2010), reported on
enrichment research dating from the 1950s to present day. In that
article, she quotes Frans B.M. de Waal, of Emory University. His
suggestion? “It is generally true that biomedical scientists would do
well to get to know their animals better—not just their inside such
as the blood samples theyproduce but also how they are housed
and how they live—so as to better interpret the data they are
getting.” He goes on to write, “In other words, the way animals are
housed has not just ethical implications, but also scientific ones,
pure and simple”. This idea is so simple, but how can you turn a
paradigm shift into ideas that one person can try
to implement during their next shift at work,
or suggest at the next staff meeting?

Ten Top Tips offers small but constructive suggestions of things you
might be able to do as a part of this effort, and we would encourage our
readers to send in their own top tips to info@theenrichmentrecord.
com, so that we can share them (anonymously if you prefer). In any
specific setting, most or all of these suggestions may not be pos-
sible, but hopefully it will help us all to put our thinking hats on and
come up with small changes we can make to help make animals
happier and research more productive.

continued on page 10

| 9SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

10 TOP TIPS continued from page 9

Getting an Ultrasound Detector Retirement
Many species such as rodents Options
vocalize in the ultrasound range. For
around a hundred dollars, you can Many animals are humanely eutha-
acquire a ‘bat detector’ that requires nized at the end of an experiment, and the
no tuning and has an external speaker. perception may be that other options should be
This will allow you to hear a range of explored only when they can be provided to all ani-
previously undetectable chatter, social mals. However, it may be worth exploring having an
communication, and distress calls… adoption or retirement procedure for small animals,
and get to know your animals better. even when it will represent an exception rather than a
The same equipment can also be used rule. This can allow a retirement cage of animals to be
to locate sources of ultrasound in the kept as demonstration or teaching animals, and staff
laboratory or even adjoining rooms will be able to adopt some animals as pets. Increased
that might be distressing to your familiarity with the species as a pet can help staff
animals. become better at reading and handling animals
in the laboratory setting and so should be en-

couraged when possible.

Acquire a Natural History Book Make Routine
We get used to seeing animals in the laboratory setting, but the full extent of Tasks a Treat
their abilities is most apparent in a natural setting. To bring this awareness into Many animals undergo
the laboratory, try and find a classic natural history of the animal’s lifestyle in routine procedures
a natural setting for people to browse in the break room or borrow to read at such as weighing,
home. Many of the best volumes are now sadly out of print, but might be found feeding, health checks
online. For example: The Private Life of the Rabbit by R. M. Lockley or Natural and cage cleaning.
History of the House Mouse by R.J. Berry. Working a simple
treat into this proce-
dure may change it
from being a source
of anxiety for the
animal to anticipation.
Over time, the animals
come to associate the
staff more with treats
than trouble, and may
become more coop-
erative and easier to
handle. This may be
as simple as adding
a little seed mix into
the bedding of a clean
cage, or a food treat

to occupy an animal
and keep it still on
the weigh scale.
Food treats should
be approved by

a veterinarian; where
they are not possible,
a tickle may be just
as good.

10 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

7
Establish

Measure Animal Welfare Routinely a Behavior
Establish some traits of positive and negative be- Baseline
havior for the species under study, and make reg-
ular recordings in your lab book. A great idea for If one is going to
some behaviors is to establish a scale (from “min” measure changes in be-
to “max”), and make recordings over time. Labs havior due to environment
might benefit from measuring other parameters— and experimental treatment,
from the concrete (diarrhea) to the complex (agita- it is best to start measuring
tion or depression). Authors, for example Francoise before experimental treatment
Wemelsfelder (2007), have developed some spe- or enrichment initiatives begin, and
cies-specific measures that can be used as a great ideal to try to find records of these
starting point. traits in the natural environment. Hav-
ing this baseline can help determine how
treatments effect animals, which environ-

ments are beneficial, and whether the change

in behavior is due to environment or due to ex-

perimental treatment. If you can’t observe these

traits directly in the animals’ natural environment, at

Ensure Your least try to become familiar with their expected behavior
Data and Samples from books (see TIP #3).
Are Protected
Research can suddenly be all for Review Your Disaster Plans: Does your facil-
nothing if your samples and data ity have a good protocol to deal with foreseeable
are not protected. Does your facil- disaster, potentially including power outage, fire,
ity have a generator, or sump pump severe weather, flooding, break-in and outbreak of
to protect storage areas? Are these zoonosis? These plans protect the animals and the
tested regularly? Are pictures and research by preserving their well-being (e.g. use of
data files labeled according to an visual rather than auditory alarms in animal rooms),
agreed protocol and backed up off– life (ensuring water, food and temperature control
site? are maintained) and, when necessary, ensuring depopulation
is carried out in a timely and humane manner. If plans are
already in place, ensure that all staff are familiar with how

they are activated and carried out—including coverage outside

of working hours.

Are all major procedures run accord- 10 Have Regular Communication Among
ing to a clear written protocol, prefer-
ably with an accompanying checklist? Researchers, Animal Caregivers and Other Staff
Try and run an experiment so that It is often the case that observations of technicians,
someone else on the team could take stock wranglers and caregivers have profound impacts on
it over seamlessly if they needed to research. Create a regular opportunity to discuss condi-
and the whole study could be repli- tions in the laboratory and behavior of the animals. Other
cated based on your written proce- staff who fully appreciate the goals of the research may
dures. be more careful and committed to getting a good result
rather than just putting in the hours. Regular meetings

can also be a great time to take a look at your lab book
and learn what uncontrolled factors might be
affecting the data. And, don’t forget administra-

tive, executive and maintenance staff who may also
appreciate being included as an important part of the
team.

Kelly, H. (2010). Incorporating an Ethological Perspective | 11SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD
to Improve Animal Welfare and Data Quality. ALN.

Wemelsfelder, F. (2007). “How animals communicate
quality of life: the qualitative assessment of behaviour
“Animal Welfare 16(Supplement1): 25-31.

Commentary by Emily Patterson-Kane, Ph.D.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Animal Welfare Division

History In addition, enrichment is an relatively larges cages and basic
area of research and application physical features such as bedding
Environmental enrichment is often that has always used science and material. In effect, conditions that
seen as arising some time in the evidence not just as ammunition, not many years ago would have
1970s or 80s. However, it has but as a basis for actually changing been considered enriched, are
deep roots, and it is important to what we know and feel is right to now the normal, standard caging
keep in touch with these—includ- better meet the real needs of diverse against which enrichments are
ing natural history, specifically the species. As a result, it has laid down compared.
study of animals in their natural an impressive body of research
environment. Natural history work as well as specific protocols and Also, the introduction of enrich-
and publications have become market-ready enclosures and devices. ment has often acted to challenge
increasingly rare in a scientific and improve traditional but poorly
environment that tends to prioritize In the present day, environmental understood standardized tests.
empirical and experimental data. enrichment is a subject that has a In terms of behavioral tests, this
But enrichment continues to rest strong, multi-dimensional identity has helped us begin to move from
heavily on an understanding of the that rests squarely on academic and an old-fashioned understanding
animal as a wild type, as a species professional traditions. It includes of animal motivation to one bet-
co-evolved with or domesticated facets relating to data generation ter approximating the animals’
by humans, and deliberately modi- and dissemination, professional experiences. For example, when
fied both genetically and psycholog- skill development and recognition, researchers studied the aggression
ically. There is always an explicit explicit ethical frameworks and a of pearl cichlids against an intruder
awareness that an animal’s natural real sense of community. into their territory3, they predicted
history may be modified and distorted, that a fish with a better, more
but never erased. Accomplishments enriched home would defend it more
vigorously. Instead, they found that
Also, enrichment work has been If these strong traditions can be enrichment reduced aggression, as
in the forefront of recognizing seen as the roots of the tree, the the fish was more likely to tolerate
caring as a legitimate orientation last few decades have been grow- and share an enriched territory with
towards animals used in research, ing the trunk, the real tangible another fish. It brought home that
not merely an anthropomorphic advances above the surface. animal behavior can just as easily be
confound or unprofessional senti- Nowhere is this more evident than perceived on the basis of tolerance,
mentality. A discipline or profes- in recent experiments into the appeasement and choice as aggres-
sion is more than a series of skilled influence of environmental enrich- sion, violence and competition.
tasks; it is a community of peers ment on neural development1 and
who share a fundamental ethical the development of progressive Obstacles
code—in this case the belief that diseases such as Huntingdon’s2. In
research animals must be cared for these studies, the control conditions Yet it must be recognized that we
compassionately and to the best of now often include social housing, are not living in a period of ex-
our abilities. travagant resources and uniform

12 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

paradigm shift. Enrichments are that is, or should be, considered physical injury, exposure to disease
still constructed largely within the standard. There are large and pres- vectors and shifts in experimental
human sensory realm by caretakers tigious institutions that draw the baselines. The ideal environment
who do not have direct access to line at providing bedding or a nest for the animal and its application
information about scent, vibration, box to rodents—just as there are still must represent a balance between
ultrasound, free current and other frequent examples of animals not barren security and enriching risk,
factors known to be relevant to an being given appropriate analgesia or not only in the laboratory but in
animal’s quality of life. Also enrich- timely and humane euthanasia. every area where animals are kept
ment still predominantly relates to in captivity.
changes made within the cage or Researchers are being allowed to
occasionally minor modifications to simply opt out, without real and Aspirations
it. I hope in the future to see new compelling scientific justification.
and remodeled facilities being built The time is coming when we must That said, environmental enrich-
from the animals out, rather than no longer tolerate a failure to meet ment is a successful, vibrant para-
from the architectural shape of the scientifically supported standards digm that has proved itself in the
building in—and with an awareness that are encoded in guidelines, research environment and in zoos.
of the needs of the human work- such as those provided by ILAR and I personally would like to see this
ers. Over and over I see wet rooms FASS. IACUCs and veterinarians will model expanded, branching out
where the drain is not in the lowest increasingly find the responsibility and providing a sound empirical
point of the floor, and rooms into basis to address the same envi-
which housing systems are some- Animals on farms ronmental risk/benefit dilemmas in
how Tetris-ed in, rather than rooms must be sheltered, other areas, reinforcing and feed-
designed or remodeled to accom- monitored... ing back to the research setting.
modate animal habitats and human
ergonomics. to honor these guidelines fall- The flagship example of this need
ing upon their shoulders, and they is agriculture. Animals on farms
Also, budgets are increasingly should be given every support to must be sheltered, monitored and
under pressure. Workers who use that responsibility appropriately protected from the climate, toxins,
supplement the enrichment needs and firmly. predation and zoonosis. And yet,
of their animals from their own when we enclose an animal in a
pockets are experiencing shrinking As enrichment options become secure, safe area, we find behav-
real income, job insecurity, chron- more variable and more expansive, iors that go wrong. Pigs bite each
ic health threats and household we must be willing to live in a more other’s tails so that the tails are
members who may be out of work. complex context of risk and benefit, preventatively docked off. Chickens’
More than ever, it is important rather than seeking to categorize beaks are trimmed to avoid them
to entrench enrichment in grant enrichment options only as safe or mutilating and killing each other
applications, budgets, job descrip- not safe. Barren environments may in significant numbers—a problem
tions, protocols, standards and present a risk of mental suffer- that occurs in both cage, barn and
regulatory guidelines. We are not ing, under-developed neurological free range systems. Large scale
yet at a place where enrichment is and immune systems and impaired farming is likely to settle some-
universally seen as being a fun- model validity. On the other hand, where in the area of partial confine-
damental aspect of animal care. highly enriched conditions may pres- ment and enriched caging. To do
Enrichment initiatives are easily cut ent risks of aggressive interaction, this humanely and avoid these be-
or squeezed out of the daily routine havioral problems, there absolutely
when institutional budgets stray will have to be effective enrichment
into the red. that directs the animal’s natural
biting and pecking behaviors into a
We must recognize that there are satisfying and harmless substrate.
conspicuous hold-outs who con-
tinue not to offer the social hous- This enrichment is not simply
ing and basic physical enrichment going to revolve around toys.

continued on page 14

| 13SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

HORIZONS OF ENRICHMENT continued from page 13

Different problems arise from The default option is to give animals lutions, conditions such as ADHD6,
thwarting different species-specific freedom to move and to minimize the Schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s.
needs and expectations. For ex- time they spend in social isolation. Re- Enrichment researchers are show-
ample, hens can become so fright- strictions on that freedom require not ing that a good environment can
ened that they pile up and smother just a convincing story and a sincere delay onset of cancer and can shape
each other. The presence of the good will, but evidence of benefit to an optimistic mindset7. Human
natural flock guardian, a rooster, the animal and an understanding of researchers are showing that
has been found to significantly how the crate should designed and people are most happy when they
reduce this fearfulness4. An under- used rather than a carte blanche as- are occupied most of the time with
standing of natural history is, once sumption that owners know what they purposeful activity8, and the dras-
again, important. are doing. tic influence of diet on both humans
and animals is gradually becoming
In the realm of pets, we are Humans clear9,10. We are coming to realize
increasingly advised to keep pet that the environment is always part
cats indoors where they live much Finally, it is worth saying that humans of a significant problem and so,
longer and, in many ways, health- as a species have a very poor under- increasingly, must also be part of
ier lives. However, having your cat standing of our own natural history. the solution.
live its entire life inside an apart- We are effectively adapting our own
ment comes with the obligation Stone Age genetics to communities The enrichment community should
to make that apartment a suit- that are often larger, physically denser not be too modest to address these
able habitat for a highly intelligent and psychologically looser and more larger social issues and problems
pocket predator. changeable than what we as a species because we have expertise to share
are programmed to expect. On top of in all of these areas. As Woodrow
I suggest we have very little idea this, we have complex layers of diet, Wilson said: We are not here merely
how to do this, and have almost culture, chemicals and technology, to make a living. We are here in or-
no objective information on the which have distorted and adapted but der to enable the world to live more
subject. There is not even agree- never abolished our unique species- amply, with greater vision, with a
ment on the basic features of the specific needs. finer spirit of hope and achieve-
natural history of the domestic cat, ment. We are here to enrich the
or indeed, the dog. As one example, our office workspac- world, and we impoverish ourselves
es have become progressively smaller when we forget that errand.
Crating of dogs has become in- and more open—which is to say, phys-
creasingly popular. Again, there is ically barren. This has led to a range 1. Mladen Roko Ran, Sanja Darmopil, Zdravko Petanjek, Tina Tomic-
a lack of evidence that this practice of workplace stress responses glibly Mahecic, Abdul H. Mohammed and Nenad Bogdanovi. (2011). Effect of
is to the benefit of the dog. When characterized as “sardine rage”.5 We Environmental Enrichment on Morphology of Deep Layer III and Layer V
farmers say that gestation crates are, in effect, doing to ourselves what Pyramidal Cells of Occipital Cortex in Oldest-old Rat – A Quantitative Golgi
are not stressful to sows and are we have done to many of the animals Cox Study. Collegium Antropologicum, Suppl. 1: Pages 253–258
a good management tool, welfare in our care and with similar results. 2. Wood NI, Carta V, Milde S, Skillings EA, McAllister CJ, et al. 2010
advocates do not just take their We must not be embarrassed to care Responses to Environmental Enrichment Differ with Sex and Genotype
word for it. Nor are they convinced how people live, and we need to de- in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Huntington’s Disease.
by the fact that the sow looks rea- sign the spaces in which we live to PLoS ONE 5(2): e9077
sonably content most of the time meet our species-specific needs based 3. Vivian Oliveira Kadry and Rodrigo Egydio Barreto (2010).
or willingly enters the crate when on reliable data and a model of con- Environmental enrichment reduces aggression of pearl cichlid, Geophagus
encouraged to do so. So I do not stant improvement that establishes brasiliensis, during resident-intruder interactions. Neotropical Ichthyology,
think dog owners should get a free new standards for our quality of life. 8(2), Pages 329-332
pass when it comes to shutting an 4. Khaled Ghareeb (2010). Presence of Males Within Laying Hens Affects
animal in a cage, not only all day In addition, we are now grappling with Tonic Immobility Response and Sociality. International Journal of Poultry
while the owner is at work, but all health problems that have complex Science 9 (12), Pages 1087-1091
night while asleep. etiologies that include environmental 5. Duval, C.L.; Charles, K.E.; Veitch, J.A. (2002). “Open-Plan Office Density
factors and resist single domain so- and Environmental Satisfaction”. IRC Research Report RR-150.
14 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD 6. Jeffrey M. Halperin, Dione M. Healey, The influences of environmental
enrichment, cognitive enhancement, and physical exercise on brain develop-
ment: Can we alter the developmental trajectory of ADHD?, Neuroscience &
Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume 35, Issue 3,
January 2011, Pages 621-634
7. Nichola M. Brydges, Matthew Leach, Katie Nicol, Rebecca Wright, Melissa
Bateson, Environmental enrichment induces optimistic cognitive bias in rats,
Animal Behaviour, Volume 81, Issue 1, January 2011,
Pages 169-175
8. Hsee CK, Yang AX, & Wang L (2010). Idleness aversion and the need for
justifiable busyness. Psychological science: a journal of the American Psycho-
logical Society / APS, 21 (7), 926-30
9. Gordon Winocur, Carol E. Greenwood, The effects of high fat diets and
environmental influences on cognitive performance in rats, Behavioural Brain
Research, Volume 101, Issue 2, June 1999, Pages 153-161
10. Stevens LJ, Kuczek T, Burgess JR, Hurt E, Arnold LE. (2010). Dietary
Sensitivities and ADHD Symptoms: Thirty-five Years of Research. Clinical
Pediatrics Dec 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Article by J.T. Leming1, G. Plate1, & E. Jensen1,2

From Dog Kennels Abstracts of Scientific Sessions—
To Rabbit Housing: Complete Cage 2010 AALAS National Meeting
Platform Sessions, Page 131
Makeover Encompasses http://nationalmeeting.aalas.org/
A major objective of our behavioral Behavioral Enrichment pdf/2010-abstracts.pdf
management committee was to for Laboratory Rabbits
| 15SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD
improve rabbit housing in our large
academic research institution. As our
dog population decreased, we were left
with several rooms of empty stainless steel
kennel runs. With minor modifications, we
converted fourteen, 4 x 8 feet suspended-
floor dog kennels into rabbit group housing
units. Our plan was conceived with input from
veterinarians, investigative staff, animal
facility staff and our behavioral management
committee. Our goal was to provide rabbits
with a safe and secure environment where
they could hop, climb to any of several different
levels, stand up on their rear legs (“sentinel”
pose), stretch and co-mingle with acceptable
conspecifics. We were able to reach the goal
with little expense by using parts from old
rabbit cages, rodent cages and primate acces-
sories to outfit the new runs. Our presentation
described step-by-step instructions on how
the conversion took place, introduction and
observation of new tenants, use of litter pans
and changes in sanitization procedures. After
six months of using the new caging, we ob-
served both behavioral and physical changes
in the rabbits. They are less timid and easier to
handle. Their rear legs are stronger and many
have learned to use litter pans. We saw no foot
problems associated with the new housing.
The plan has been so successful that even rab-
bits requiring single housing are now kept in
the new accommodations whenever possible.

1. Biomedical Resource Center
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
2. Department of Pediatrics
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

Research Abstracts

Environmental enrichment induces optimistic Understanding behaviour: the relevance of
cognitive bias in rats ethological approaches in laboratory animal science
Nichola M. Brydgesaa, Matthew Leachb,1, Katie Nicola, Anna S. Olssona,*, Charlotte M. Nevisonb,1, Emily G. Patterson-
Rebecca Wrighta and Melissa Batesonb,1 Kanec,2, Chris M. Sherwind, Heleen A. Van de Weerde, Hanno Wu¨rbelf,3
a. Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen’s Medical a. Animal Facility, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology,
Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Porto, Portugal
47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, U.K. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +351-226-074-900;
b. Centre for Behavior and Evolution, Institute of fax: +351-226-099-157.
Neuroscience, Newcastle University, U.K.
1. M. Leach and M. Bateson are at the Centre for E-mail address: [email protected] (I.A.S. Olsson)
Behavior and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, b. Animal Behaviour Group, Veterinary Clinical Science and
Newcastle University, Henry Wellcome Building for Animal Husbandry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
Neuroecology, Framlington Place, 1. Department of Animal Studies, Myerscough College,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, U.K. Bilsbarrow, Lancashire, UK.
c. Animal Welfare Program, Agricultural Sciences, University
Animal Behaviour • Volume 81 • Issue 1 • January 2011, of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Pages 169-175 • Behavior Brief: http://www.the-scientist. 2. Present address: Scottish Agricultural College,
com/news/display/57966/#ixzz1EW3MMav4 Penicuik, Midlothian, UK.
Cited By in Scopus (0), doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2010.09.030 d. Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Centre for
Copyright © 2010 The Association for the Study Behavioural Biology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
of Animal Behaviour Published by Elsevier Ltd. e. Department of Agriculture, Newcastle University,
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
People’s affective or emotional state can alter their f. Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zürich,
cognitive processing, biasing interpretation of ambiguous Zürich, Switzerland
stimuli. Those in a more positive state interpret such stimuli 3. Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Jutus-Liebig-University
in a more optimistic manner than those in a negative state. of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Recently this research has extended to animals, and has Applied Animal Behaviour Science • Volume 81• Issue 3,
shown that manipulations associated with negative affect May 2, (2003)
cause animals to interpret ambiguous stimuli more Pages: 245–264 • International Society for Applied Ethology
pessimistically. We investigated whether exposure to Special Issue: A selection of papers from the
environmental enrichment engenders optimistic ISAE international congresses, 1999-2001
responses to ambiguous stimuli. Rats, Rattus norvegicus, http://www.unal.edu.co/bioetica/documentos/sem_per/aproxima-
were trained on a novel conditional discrimination task cion_etologica_%20animales_inv.pdf
whereby they learned the correct response necessary to http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/applan/article/
obtain a food reward given the stimulus present during S0168-1591(02)00285-X/abstract
approach (rough or smooth sandpaper). One stimulus was doi:10.1016/S0168-1591(02)00285-X
associated with a higher-value reward than the other. 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Once the rats were trained, cognitive bias was probed
by exploring their responses to an ambiguous stimulus Applied ethology has traditionally focused on farm animal species,
(intermediate grade of sandpaper); a rat was defined as whereas there has been much less research directed at under-
optimistic if it chose the response appropriate to the standing the behaviour of laboratory animals in relation to their
stimulus associated with the better reward. Animals use as models in research. In this paper, we identify four areas
transferred from unenriched to enriched cages showed in which ethological approaches could help improve the welfare
more optimistic responses following the change. A control of laboratory rodents while at the same time enhancing the
group maintained in unenriched cages showed pessimistic validity of research based on them. These areas are:
responses throughout. These results demonstrate for the (1) the effects of selective breeding and gene manipulations
first time that environmental enrichment can induce an on the animals’ ability to cope with the laboratory environment;
optimistic cognitive bias in rats previously housed in (2) the effects of barren housing conditions on behaviour and
standard caging, possibly indicative of a more positive the mechanisms underlying normal control of behaviour;
affective state. These results add support to the suggestion (3) the sensory perception of the laboratory environment by
that measuring cognitive biases can give an insight into the animals; and (4) the applicability of standard behavioural
animal emotional states; this has implications for animal tests and the potential for improving them by taking animals’
welfare and preclinical testing of potential therapeutics species-specific characteristics into account. Given the current
for mood disorders. increase in the use of rodents in the life sciences, these four areas
represent promising areas of future research in applied animal
16 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD behaviour science.

Article by Elizabeth Dodemaide, B.V.Sc., M.A., MACVSc, Associate Director,

Laboratory Animal Services, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT IN THE NEW GUIDE

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory toys for NHPs, dogs, cats and swine, wooden
Animals (the Guide) is an internationally accepted chew sticks for some rodents and nesting
primary reference on animal care and use, and its materials for mice.
use is required in the United States of America by • The Guide further states: “Well-
the Public Health Service Policy. It was first pub- conceived enrichment provides animals
lished in 1963, and has been revised a number with choices and a degree of control over
of times since then. The most recent edition was their environment, allowing them to
published in January, 2011. better cope with environmental
stressors.”—­ p. 53. A stated caution is that
The purpose of the Guide is to assist institutions not every item added to the animal’s
and investigators in caring for and using animals environment necessarily benefits its
in ways judged to be scientifically, technically, and well-being, an example being the
humanely appropriate. Recommendations in the addition of marbles to a mouse cage
Guide are based on scientific principles, published where it has been found to be a stressor
data, expert opinion, and experience with meth- rather than an enrichment.
ods and practices shown to be consistent with both • When enrichment items are used, the rotation of the items
high quality research and humane animal care and use. The recom- should be a consideration. However, changing the
mendations are intended to be used as the basis for development environment too often may be stressful.
of a comprehensive animal care and use program, in the context • The IACUC, researchers and veterinarians should regularly
of applying performance standards to the implementation of the review the enrichment programs to ensure they are
program. beneficial to animal well-being and consistent with the goals of
animal use. Programs should be updated to reflect new
The most recent edition of the Guide has additions and changes knowledge as needed.
that institutions have to incorporate into their animal care and • Animal care personnel should be trained in behavioral biology
use programs. One addition is a specific section on Environmental of the species they work with to appropriately monitor the
Enrichment (p.52). The 1996 version discussed the use of effects of enrichment.
environmental enrichment devices in determining appropriate cage • Enrichment affects phenotype and may impact experimental
size, and provision of an environment that encouraged species- outcome (independent variable).
specific behaviors. For social species, environmental enrichment • It is recommended to read and/or conduct research before
was suggested as a method to compensate for the lack of social updating a local Environmental Enrichment Plan.
interactions with conspecifics when animals must be housed alone.
Most references listed were for non-human primates (NHPs). Application of Guide standards in an animal facility should take
into consideration the desired outcome—benefiting or enhancing
The 2011 Guide expands on the discussion of environmental en- animal welfare. Engineering standards are prescriptive and pro-
richment, citing many references covering a larger range of spe- vide limited flexibility for implementation. However, they can be
cies. The Guide says: useful for establishing a baseline and aid in evaluating compliance.
“The primary aim of environmental enrichment is to enhance
animal well-being by providing animals with sensory and A more advantageous approach is to apply performance and prac-
motor stimulation through structures and resources that tice standards. Describe a desired outcome and provide flexibil-
facilitate the expression of species-specific behaviors and ity in achieving this outcome by allowing those responsible for
promote psychological well-being through physical exercise, managing the animal care and use program, the researcher, and
manipulative activities, and cognitive challenges according to the IACUC, the discretion to apply methodology to achieve the
species-specific characteristics.” —p. 52-53. outcome. The intent of the Guide is to provide flexibility for institu-
tions to develop and modify practices and procedures when new
The main points in this section include: information becomes available and changes in conditions occur.
• Examples given of structural additions include perches and The new Guide places great emphasis on social environment which
visual barriers for NHPs, elevated shelves for cats and rabbits is intimately tied to enrichment, and must always be considered as
and shelters for guinea pigs. Manipulable resource examples part of a comprehensive enrichment program.
include novel objects, foraging devices for NHPs, manipulable
| 17SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

Enriching Program by Karen Froberg-Fejko, V.M.D., President, Bio-Serv

Developing an effective Environmental Enrichment and constant monitoring of compatible conspecifics in
program in a toxicology (tox) or GLP environment social housing takes some time, the benefits to the
can be a challenging endeavor due the stringent
confines and documentation required to animals and the lab staff far outweigh the in-
comply with FDA guidelines. There are vestment of time, as passionately stated by the
some excellent success stories, however, in Enrichment Coordinator. These training methods
which laboratory animal care staff and toxicol- and enrichment strategies have reduced stress
ogists have worked together to develop successful in the monkeys and increased animal welfare. The
enrichment programs improving animal welfare. facility will be validating staff observations using
I will share a story from an Enrichment Coordina- telemetry to monitor for changes in physiologic
tor who works for an international pharmaceuti- parameters in single-housed versus socially
cal company. housed primates.

About five years ago, this company began The company has also employed other enrich-
socially housing all their non-human primates ment initiatives in other laboratory species
(NHPs) into pairs and groups. Initially, there by providing sheltering for rodents, housing
was serious concern from the toxicology techni- dogs in runs instead of cages, and providing
cians who believed their workload would increase, operant training to rabbits, just to name a few.
but this did not happen. Along with social hous- All these species have enrichment SOPs with
ing, the company also employed a positive reward pre-approved certified (contaminant-screened)
reinforcement and cooperative training program. enrichment that the caregivers can provide.

The staff trained their NHPs to move into divided The default for all their species is social housing,
caging, present their arms for safe removal from and single housing is done only if deemed neces-
the cage, and take oral medications from syringes, sary for health reasons by the attending veterinar-
which minimized the need to give injectable medi- ian, or if the study requires. However, this must
cations. The success of this program was imme- be approved by the IACUC with much consideration
diately realized as the number of animal-related and stringent guidelines.
injuries significantly declined and the technicians
observed the NHPs engaging in species-typical No one would argue that research variables must
behaviors. As a result of cooperative training, han- be minimized in order to collect valid data, and this
dling was incredibly safer for both the monkeys and concern is magnified in a tox or GLP environment
the technicians during treatments. due to the nature of this type of research. There is

As part of the Enrichment SOPs, concern in a tox and GLP environ-
the Enrichment Coordinator ment that providing environmental
developed a list of pre-approved enrichment could potentially affect
certified (contaminant-screened) the outcome of a study. However,
enrichment devices and treats from not offering the opportunity for
which the caregivers could select animals to express species-specific
and document what was offered. Because behavior through enrichment can
they could choose from the list, it was easy lead to the most important variable
for caregivers to provide variety and choice of all, stress. Stress affects every physi-
to the monkeys, both of which are keys to ologic function of the body and we must
successful enrichment. strive to minimize it.

Training for the monkeys starts by “prep- As shown in this story, we can work
ping” them for a tox or GLP environ- collaboratively to develop enrichment
ment while the animals are in quarantine. programs in tox and GLP environments.
During the training, the monkeys are There are several similar success stories,
provided with both treat and non-treat and I invite you to share your success
positive reinforcement. Though the training stories in The Enrichment Record, or to
contact me at [email protected] and
18 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD I will share your story.

Enriching Profile Introducing...

Gina Savastano, Ph.D.

Senior Supervisor, Facility Operations
Merck Research Laboratories

An author, project manager, consultant, life-
long lover of animals (ask her about her dogs,
rabbits, cats and talking birds!), and dedicated
supporter of environmental enrichment, Gina
Savastano began her career in 1995 at the Bronx
Zoo as a Wild Animal Keeper. During her eleven
years at the Zoo, she also served as a Senior Wild
Animal Keeper/Monkey House, Primate Specialist,
Protected Contact Elephant Handler and Mammal
Assistant Supervisor.

In 2006, Gina decided to bring her knowledge We are responsible for the animals in
of animals to another field…animal research. our care; therefore, we must ensure that
She joined Merck in Rahway, NJ, as a Laboratory o—urGinaanSiamvasatalnsoare happy and healthy!
Animal Resources Supervisor and transferred to
her current position in Boston in 2008. As Senior Gina is most appreciative of her supportive vendors, and of the
Supervisor of Facility Operations, she oversees all more than 500 participants who have taken the word about
animal care and related operational activities in environmental enrichment back to their facilities. She is very much
the animal facility. looking forward to the 3rd Annual MSMR Enrichment Symposium,
All Creatures Big & Small...Animal Enrichment in a Laboratory
Gina’s responsibilities include maintaining compli- Environment, scheduled for April 14, 2011 at the Colonnade
ance with departmental SOPs and local, state and Hotel in Boston, MA. Sponsored by MSMR, Merck & Co., Inc.,
federal regulations and monitoring and improving the New England Branch of AALAS and Massachusetts General
animal care and related activities for research. Hospital, the symposium will present current research and
Gina implemented a canine behavioral manage- collective wisdom about enrichment in a wide range of species
ment program, and oversees enrichment for mice, including swine, non-human primates, aquatics, canines, and
rats, guinea pigs and dogs. rodents.

A Great Idea! Gina holds a Ph.D. in Behavioral Neuroscience from The CUNY
Graduate Center, an M.A in Animal Behavior from Hunter
Totally committed to the importance of animals College, and a B.S. in Biology from The University of Massachusetts
in captivity having an enriched environment, in Dartmouth. She is also a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist.
2008 Gina co-founded the Enrichment Extrava-
ganza with the help of co-worker Genny Andrews. Originally from Massachusetts, Gina is delighted to be home. She
Together with the New Jersey Association for loves her job, her husband, and her son, joyfully referred to as “the
Biomedical Research (NJABR), they launched the light of my life!”
first enrichment program for laboratory animal
professionals in the New Jersey area. Now living
in Massachusetts, Gina’s enrichment program is
co-hosted with the Massachusetts Society for Med-
ical Research (MSMR). Her goal is to provide an
educational forum in which participants exchange
ideas, learn new strategies, and evaluate the
impact of various techniques on the animals and…
ultimately…the research. She is totally committed
to learning about and sharing new methods that
provide positive stimulation and positive results
for researchers.

| 19SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

Meeting Up

There’s an old saying that “You can’t
dance at two weddings at once.”You also can’t

attend all the meetings and conferences taking place that offer the latest information in the
field of laboratory animal science. Meeting Up will provide summaries of panels, work-
shops and symposia covering topics relevant to Environmental Enrichment. If you want more
information about any of the presentations described or want to contact the presenters, let us
know and we will be happy to connect you: [email protected]

Rodent Enrichment data. The target audience included veterinarians and animal care
2010 AALAS National Meeting professionals who typically select enrichment for the animals un-
der their care, as well as scientists who use these animals in re-
Christina Winnicker, D.V.M., M.P.H, DACLAM search.
Director, Enrichment and Behavioral Medicine
Animal Welfare & Training Dr. Joy Mench of University of California, Davis began the session
Charles River by discussing the importance of understanding animal behavior.
Particular focus was placed upon how the natural behavioral rep-
Awareness has grown among both animal care providers and ertoire of a species informs what is enriching to a species.
scientists of the importance of providing experimental animals
with environments that allow the expression of natural behav- Dr. Joe Garner of Purdue University spoke on mouse behavior.
iors and reduce or eliminate the expression of abnormal be- In particular, he focused on the mouse thermoneutral zone and
haviors. This goal reflects both an ethical imperative and a how the behavioral response of nest building and variations in the
strategy for maintaining the suitability of animals for scientific quality of the nest as a function of ambient temperature was the
research. However, if done incorrectly, well-intended efforts natural response of mice to temperature changes. Ambient room
to enrich an animal’s environment can backfire, with adverse temperatures in vivariums are generally below the mouse thermo-
impacts on animal health and well-being or on the use of the neutral zone for mice, and the provision of nesting material sup-
animal in research. plies the substrate to allow for this behavioral response.

Well-conceived enrichment strategies rely on a solid under- Dr. Christina Winnicker of Charles River spoke on rat behavior
standing of the natural behaviors of the species in question. and enrichment strategies for rats. The main sensory modalities,
Rodents do not respond to environmental stimuli in the same normal behavioral repertoire, and resource requirements for rats’
manner as primates, and rats do not respond in the same natural behaviors were reviewed. Taking this behavior into consid-
manner as mice. Furthermore, the enrichment strategy can eration, aspects of a program for rat enrichment were discussed,
impact use of animals as research models. A model can be including options for social housing, shelters & nesting material,
improved by eliminating physiological abnormalities that may and gnawing devices.
be linked to behavioral abnormalities, but enrichment, particu-
larly if used inconsistently, can increase variability in the data, Dr. Linda Toth of Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
thereby reducing statistical power and necessitating increases discussed the integration of environmental enrichment into ro-
in animal numbers. dent research from a principal investigator’s point of view. She
reviewed the importance of considering the scientific endpoints of
This seminar addressed all these aspects of environmental the study and how enrichment may interact with or interfere with
enrichment as it pertains to laboratory mice and rats. Partici- research. Two messages were that environmental enrichment, like
pants learned about natural behaviors of both rats and mice, any other environmental influence, could affect the science being
and how to use this understanding to select species-appropri- done and that the benefit or type of enrichment being provided
ate enrichment strategies. They learned some of the negative should be weighed against its impact on the research questions
impacts that environmental enrichment can have on scientific being asked.

20 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

Upcoming Meetings

3rd Annual Enrichment James L. Weed, Ph.D. • Hosts: Denver Zoo, Cheyenne
Symposium Senior Behaviorist, Mountain Zoo and Downtown
All Creatures Big & Small Division of Veterinary Resources Aquarium, Denver
April 14, 2011 Office of Research Services, • Hotel: JW Marriott, Cherry Creek
Colonnade Hotel, Boston, MA Division of Veterinary Resources • Site visits to: Cheyenne
In their third full day Enrichment National Institutes of Health Mountain Zoo, Downtown
Symposium, sponsors MSMR, SWINE Behavior Management and Aquarium, Denver Zoo
Merck & Co., Inc. and Massachusetts Environmental Enrichment • Pre-conference trip to watch
General Hospital will present a rescue demonstration by
current research and collective Genevieve Andrews-Kelly avalanche deployment unit dogs
wisdom about enrichment in a wide Group Leader, • CEU credits for CPDT and IAABC
range of species including swine, Large Animal Toxicology certification!
non-human primates, aquatics, Primate Social Housing and PRT in • Possible pre-conference TAG teach
canines, and rodents. Toxicology Studies opportunity
• Travel scholarship, see website for
Presenters: Nirah H Shomer, D.V.M. Ph.D. details
Emily Patterson-Kane, Ph.D. DACLAM
Animal Welfare Scientist Director, Laboratory Animal The Enrichment
American Veterinary Resources, Merck Research Extravaganza (EE)
Medical Association Laboratories Co-sponsored by
Horizons of Enrichment: the History, Challenges of Enrichment The Enrichment Record,
Accomplishments and Aspirations of in a Laboratory Setting NJABR & NJAALAS
Environmental Enrichment June 13, 2011
Melissa Dragon, B.S., LATG 9 AM—4 PM
Christian Lawrence Training Coordinator at Pfizer, Atlantic City Convention Center
Aquatic Resources Program Manager Groton Enrichment for Mice and Atlantic City, NJ
Children’s Hospital Boston Men: Designing a Program that To register for the EE, go to:
Environmental Enrichment for Works for All Creatures http://www.njabrevents.org
Laboratory Zebrafish For Special Registration Package for EE
http://events.r20.constantcontact. and Tri-Branch Symposium, go to
Jodi Scholz, D.V.M., DACLAM com/register/event?llr=iewyzvcab&o www.tribranch.org
Assistant Professor eidk=a07e39avblbf28983dd
(Clinical Veterinarian) continued on page 22
Director of the Environmental
Enrichment Program at Yale | 21SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD
Providing Mouse Environmental
Enrichment at a Large Academic
Institution

Amber Alliger, Ph.D. Animal Behavior Management
CUNY Graduate Center Alliance Annual Conference
Professor of Biopsychology “Miles Above…and Beyond!”
at Hunter and SUNY New Paltz April 17-22, 2011
The Effects of Enrichment on
Cognition in Rats Rattus norvegicus Denver, CO
Elevate Behavior Management
Christina L. Winnicker, D.V.M., in the Mile High City!
M.P.H., DACLAM The 11th Annual ABMA Conference
Director, will kick off with keynote speaker,
Enrichment & Behavioral Medicine Dr. Jill Mellen from Disney’s Animal
Charles River Laboratories Kingdom, and will culminate with an
Rabbit Enrichment & Behavioral Earth Day to remember at Denver
Management Zoo. All of the conference favorites
will be included, plus a few new
Gina Savastano, Ph.D ideas! For information on attend-
Senior Supervisor Facility ing and presenting, please visit the
Operations, Daniel Beaudreau ABMA website www.theabma.org
Facility Operations Associate
Merck Research Laboratories
Using an Inexpensive Webcam
to Validate Dog Enrichment

Reporters Wanted! UPCOMING MEETINGS continued from page 21

In each issue of The Enrichment 45th Congress of the International
Record we report on Enrichment Society for Applied Ethology
meetings and conferences in detail. July 31-August 4, 2011
We are seeking volunteers to write Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis, IN
summaries of meetings, workshops, The Annual Congress of the International Society for Applied
and conferences addressing any Ethology (ISAE) returns to the United States in 2011 for the
aspect of environmental enrichment 3rd time in its 45-year history. A truly international forum,
the Congress attracts researchers, educators, students

 for lab animals. Meeting organiz- and policy-makers with diverse yet common interests to
disseminate, gather and discuss vital information on the
ers are welcome to assign a record- well-being and behavior of companion, farm, laboratory,
er. To request “Guidelines for Meeting Up Summaries,” wildlife and zoo animals and their interface with society.
send your name, contact and meeting information to
[email protected] The meeting is approved for 16 CEUs for members of the
American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists.
NAME http://www.ars.usda.gov/meetings/ISAE2011

PHONE 10th International Conference on Environmental
Enrichment
EMAIL August 14-19 2011
Benson Hotel, Portland, Oregon
EVENT Hosted by the Oregon Zoo and
the Oregon National Primate Research Center, OHSU
DATE Events at the Oregon Zoo
and the Oregon National Primate Research Center
TIME “Meeting of the Minds: Working Together to Enrich the Lives
of Animals”
LOCATION The International Conference on Environmental Enrichment
is a meeting for the exchange of ideas about both theoretical
Meeting Announcement Submission Form and applied research on enrichment for animals in captivity.
The original conference, held in 1993, was hosted by the
Please submit the following information to Oregon Zoo. For the first time, this conference is being
Rhoda Weiner, Editor [email protected] co-hosted by a research facility, the Oregon National Primate
Research Center (ONPRC). This combination of the zoo and
ORGANIZATION laboratory communities will bring together caretakers,
researchers and veterinarians of differing backgrounds, but
CONTACT NAME with a similar goal; providing for the well being of the animals
in their care. Both the zoo and research communities have
PHONE much to offer each other, and this conference offers a unique
“meeting of the minds”.
EMAIL
The conference will kick off Sunday evening, August 14 with
DATE OF EVENT an Ice Breaker, and will end on Friday afternoon, August 19.
Registration for the conference is $350 (after June 6, 2011,
TIME OF EVENT the price will go to $450), which includes continental
breakfasts and coffee breaks for all conference days, as well
EVENT LOCATION as admission to the Ice Breaker, Closing Banquet, Zoo Day
at the Oregon Zoo (including meals), and a social gathering
TYPE OF EVENT at the ONPRC. Abstracts will be accepted until April 30, 2011,
so get your abstract in early!
Conference Workshop Lecture
The Benson Hotel is offering special room rates of $149 per
Meeting with featured speaker night for ICEE participants. To reserve a room, go to Benson
Hotel Reservations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT
For more information,
or to register or submit an abstract,
please to go the ICEE 2011
home page or contact the
ICEE 2011 hosts at
[email protected]

22 |SPRING 2011 THE ENRICHMENT RECORD

Annual Innovative Environmental ADVERTISER INDEX
Enrichment Symposium
October 2, 2011 http://www.tecniplast.usa.com
San Diego, CA
Marriott Hotel and Marina (Satellite to National AALAS) Bio-Serv®
The Massachusetts General Hospital,Center for Comparative Medicine hosts http://www.bio-serv.com
an annual Innovative Environmental Enrichment Symposium.
www.beaglerescueleague.org
This event is for individuals in the field of animal behavior,
enrichment and welfare who are passionate about providing LabDiet®
quality laboratory standards that exceed regulations and http://www.labdiet.com/
meet animal welfare needs.

The objective of this symposium is to provide a forum at which participants can
compare notes on innovative animal enrichment and conditioning programs and
how to best determine the effectiveness of those versus current practices.

The symposium will include a variety of highlights:
• Developing an enrichment program
• Social housing
• Behavioral conditioning
• Human-animal interaction and socialization
• Enrichment in a GLP environment
• Determining economic costs and benefits of enrichment strategies
• Regulatory considerations in enrichment programs

http://www.virtualvivarium.com/about%2Dus/upcoming-events/environmen-
tal_Enrichment_Symposium.asp

Please send notification of your Upcoming Meetings to [email protected]

THE R E C O R D Animal Specialties and Provisions
http://www.animalspecialties.biz/
The Enrichment Record is a quarterly E-Zine created by the Laboratory
Animal Research Community as an online forum for: Animal Behavior Institute™
• Discussing environmental enrichment in the optimal care of laboratory animals www.animaledu.com/
• Documenting best practices
• Sharing data on the impact of environmental enrichment on the science ROE BIO-MEDICAL PRODUCTS
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