Post by michele5611 on Jan 19, 2012 11:52:25 GMT -5
napervillesun.suntimes.com/lifestyles/9996123-423/enriching-lives-of-shelter-animals-an-important-goal.html
What do peanut butter jars, catnip, Frisbees, a massage and training have in common? They are all considered forms of behavioral enrichment for the cats and dogs at Naperville Area Humane Society.
According to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, behavioral enrichment is achieved through “the process of manipulating an animal’s environment to increase physical activity and normal species-typical behavior that satisfies the animal’s physical and psychological needs.”
At Naperville Area Humane Society, Michelle Lenz, our animal care manager, coordinates a number of enrichment activities for our shelter animals.
“Enrichment helps dogs and cats maintain good mental health while in the unnatural environment of an animal shelter as well as showcases each animal’s true personality,” says Michelle.
Although the time that cats and dogs spend at the NAHS waiting for their forever homes may not be long for some, the transition to life in a shelter can be hard for some pets. To help cats and dogs adjust to their temporary home here, NAHS provides behavioral enrichment experiences.
One source of sensory enrichment is our corps of nearly 500 volunteers. Each day, the dogs and cats are exposed to a variety of people who socialize, train, hold, or walk them. This serves two purposes: the interaction provides a changing, stimulating environment and helps the animals maintain trust with people.
In addition to having dogs interact with people, we facilitate “doggie play groups,” in order to socialize the dogs with each other and provide enrichment through play. This typically takes place in our outdoor run. We also have toys in the run for a game of catch or fetch. In the summer, we fill a baby pool with water and submerge toys in the water for the dogs to retrieve.
We fill Kong toys with canned dog food and plug one end with a larger treat such as a Milkbone. With a nickel-sized opening at one end, Kongs provide both physical and mental exercise by requiring the dogs to work for their food. Other food-related manipulatives include Buster Cubes, treats frozen in ice cubes, and even nearly empty peanut butter jars that the dogs love to lick clean.
In each kennel, we supply blankets and toys. We rotate the individual “room assignments” by moving dogs around in the kennels, and the dogs “take turns” sleeping alone in the quiet kitchen instead of their kennels.
For the cats, we are thrilled to be able to provide a more stimulating and natural environment through our free-roam cat room, which has places for cats to hide, perch, interact with other cats, and scratch. Like the dogs under our care, the cats all benefit from having toys and blankets as well. Other enrichment tools include ice cubes in water bowls and, of course, catnip.
In order to provide these enriching activities and items, we rely on donations from the local community. Specifically, we have a need for (nearly) empty peanut butter jars; Buster Cubes; dog toys for cuddling, tugging, and chewing; interactive cat toys; and treats for training. If you’d like to donate any of these items, please feel free to drop them off at Naperville Area Humane Society at 1620 W. Diehl Road in Naperville.
Angie Wood is executive director of the Naperville Area Humane Society. Contact her at 630-420-8989.
What do peanut butter jars, catnip, Frisbees, a massage and training have in common? They are all considered forms of behavioral enrichment for the cats and dogs at Naperville Area Humane Society.
According to the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, behavioral enrichment is achieved through “the process of manipulating an animal’s environment to increase physical activity and normal species-typical behavior that satisfies the animal’s physical and psychological needs.”
At Naperville Area Humane Society, Michelle Lenz, our animal care manager, coordinates a number of enrichment activities for our shelter animals.
“Enrichment helps dogs and cats maintain good mental health while in the unnatural environment of an animal shelter as well as showcases each animal’s true personality,” says Michelle.
Although the time that cats and dogs spend at the NAHS waiting for their forever homes may not be long for some, the transition to life in a shelter can be hard for some pets. To help cats and dogs adjust to their temporary home here, NAHS provides behavioral enrichment experiences.
One source of sensory enrichment is our corps of nearly 500 volunteers. Each day, the dogs and cats are exposed to a variety of people who socialize, train, hold, or walk them. This serves two purposes: the interaction provides a changing, stimulating environment and helps the animals maintain trust with people.
In addition to having dogs interact with people, we facilitate “doggie play groups,” in order to socialize the dogs with each other and provide enrichment through play. This typically takes place in our outdoor run. We also have toys in the run for a game of catch or fetch. In the summer, we fill a baby pool with water and submerge toys in the water for the dogs to retrieve.
We fill Kong toys with canned dog food and plug one end with a larger treat such as a Milkbone. With a nickel-sized opening at one end, Kongs provide both physical and mental exercise by requiring the dogs to work for their food. Other food-related manipulatives include Buster Cubes, treats frozen in ice cubes, and even nearly empty peanut butter jars that the dogs love to lick clean.
In each kennel, we supply blankets and toys. We rotate the individual “room assignments” by moving dogs around in the kennels, and the dogs “take turns” sleeping alone in the quiet kitchen instead of their kennels.
For the cats, we are thrilled to be able to provide a more stimulating and natural environment through our free-roam cat room, which has places for cats to hide, perch, interact with other cats, and scratch. Like the dogs under our care, the cats all benefit from having toys and blankets as well. Other enrichment tools include ice cubes in water bowls and, of course, catnip.
In order to provide these enriching activities and items, we rely on donations from the local community. Specifically, we have a need for (nearly) empty peanut butter jars; Buster Cubes; dog toys for cuddling, tugging, and chewing; interactive cat toys; and treats for training. If you’d like to donate any of these items, please feel free to drop them off at Naperville Area Humane Society at 1620 W. Diehl Road in Naperville.
Angie Wood is executive director of the Naperville Area Humane Society. Contact her at 630-420-8989.
I look forward to learning much here