ENRICHMENT RESOURCES

Studies, readings, and scientific articles on enrichment to get you inspired.

SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE

KULPA-EDDY

From the US Department of Agriculture, Kulpa-Eddy highlights the importance of species appropriate enrichment due to species specific needs. Kulpa-Eddy also considers enrichment as a pivotal part in the humane care of animal species.

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SCHIPPER

Head of the Division of Ethology & Welfare in the Department of Animals, Schipper shows us that enrichment toys do make a difference for a dog's well being.

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SAMPAIO

Sampaio found that providing enrichment activities to captive dogs lead to dogs showing significant differences in behaviour. Enrichment decreased signs of depression and "stereotypical" captive dog behaviour associated with stress.

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SAMPEDRO- PIQUERO

Neuroscientist Sampedro-Piquero's multiple ground breaking studies on enrichment help us understand enrichment and behaviour. Through multiple studies, Sampedro-Piquero notes environmental enrichment increases behavioral performance, as well as creates a positive behavioral changes across the lifespan.

REDOLAT

Department of Psychobiology at the University of Valencia, Redolat's study highlights how environmental enrichment is relevant to future research into "mental and neurodegenerative diseases, stress, aging and development of enviromimetics". Redolat's study revealed that environmental enrichment improves learning, reduces anxiety, and can be used to slow down/counteract age-related behavioral and cognitive changes.

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OVERALL

Certified Animal Behaviourist and Scientist K. Overall's research found that most enrichment strategies are inexpensive and easy to implement, with long term benefits. Overall explains that dogs are significantly more similar to humans than apes and wolves in regard to their social cognition. Given their findings, Overall states that all dogs should receive some kind of behavioural enrichment.

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AMAYA

Working in the Center for Animal Welfare and Ethics, Amaya touches on enrichment in a shelter setting. Amaya's findings underline the importance of enrichment for kenneled dogs. Dogs with enrichment in their routines vocalized less (which tended to persist on average up to four hours after the enrichment was finished), and showed less stress implicating body language.