A Fear free tactic
Fear Free presents a more respectable way to work with animals. The art takes into account the behavioral aspects, as well as its mental and physical wellbeing of each creature. Over the past few months, I have personally been researching the importance of enrichment in the animal care environment. My hope is for hospitals and clinics see that the comfort and care of an animal includes the whole being.
What is Enrichment?
To create an enriched environment, we need to know what that looks like. Providing interesting, complex, challenging, stimulating, and variable surroundings that encourages the animals to explore, think, learn, engage, and be well – mentally and physically is what enrichment is all about.
Behavioral Enrichment
Behavioral enrichment is an animal husbandry principal. It seeks to enhance animal care by identifying and providing the environmental stimuli necessary for whole body well-being. It is meant to improve the animal’s atmophere and care based on their natural behaviors and instincts. Thus, by giving an animal opportunities to perform species-typical behaviors, by allowing them to think and learn, stimulates their brain. It can lower an animal’s aggression and abnormal behavior.
Examples of enrichment
Their chances of survival increase when a puppy or kitten that is failing to thrive is given a stuffed animal to cuddle with.
A dog that is taken out of their kennel after a bout with radiation and is loved on continues to eat well. Likewise, playing fetch or frisbee with a cancer patient after chemotherapy will help to fend off depression.
the jest
The idea is to modify the patient’s surroundings. An environment that is more comfortable, provides more space, and gives more choices is ideal. Dependent upon each individual animal, the level of stimulation needs to be adjusted accordingly.
other forms of enrichment
Other forms of enrichment in the animal care environment, aside from stuffed animals, big balls, and frisbees, can be platforms for kennels and cages so that animals can sleep elevated. For some, decreasing stimulation is just as important. So, providing hiding boxes for cats helps to give a visual barrier for them without putting up towels and taking away the health providers line of sight.
Chewing is an important behavior for dogs, especially when anxious or bored. Providing safe chew toys is a good option. In addition to a less anxious pet, it may keep some from eating the pee pads , blankets, or mats in their cages.
Human social contact is very significant to recovery. So, putting time in for techs and assistants to sit quietly with patients should be on treatment sheets. Scheduling pets, brushes, and play with patients is also important.
Animal Massage
The last enrichment idea I would like to discuss is that of massage. Touch is important. Specific, strategic massage therapy is extremely helpful in the healing process. Having someone on staff come in and provide this therapy could be something pretty wonderful for patients.
Conclusion
Studies have consistently indicated that mental stimulation is emotionally rewarding to animals. Inadequate amounts gives rise to the unpleasant emotional state of boredom, which serves to motivate the individual to seek stimulation. Disorganization, instability, disease, and suffering result when improper amounts of stimulation are presented to the brain. Keeping animals behaviorally as well as medically healthy is the humane thing to do.
The next step is to implement a fear free enrichment program. Obtain the stuffed animals, big balls, frisbees, the chew toys. Make the cat hiding boxes, provide adequate brushes, learn massage therapy, and keep everything accesable.