Enrichment Question

Some colleagues and I are looking to start an enrichment committee here within our organization. I was curious if anyone has any experiences, good and bad, with starting up such a committee that they would be willing to share? Any information would be helpful as we begin this process.

Thank you,

David Cawston, MHA
Veterinary Services Manager
Boston University
dwc01@bu.edu

Introducing The Enrichment Record Poster Repository

Now you see it; now you don’t. If you did not attend the recent Tri-Branch Symposium in Atlantic City, NJ, you will not have seen a terrific poster on a novel delivery device for rabbit hay. This poster created quite a stir, and we hope it will eventually find a home in our new Poster Repository. Shown is Leslie Sheppard Bird.

The Enrichment Record, together with the Veterinary Bioscience Institute, is excited to introduce The Enrichment Record Poster Repository. This open access poster repository will provide a structured and safe environment for the deposition of enrichment posters. Often, enrichment information presented as posters at conferences is not published and is lost once a conference is over. If it is published, it is published at a much later date. This repository will provide Laboratory Animal Science community members with access to early enrichment information presented at conferences while allowing authors to maximize the value of their posters by dramatically increasing availability and by helping to prevent lengthy delays before others can benefit from their new enrichment research.

The Enrichment Record Poster Repository is subdivided into categories by species, making it easy to locate information for the viewer. The submission process is simple and has safeguards in place to ensure applicability and maintain quality standards. After a poster is submitted, there is a 24-hour delay, which allows time for review of submitted information to confirm that it is appropriate for the site.

The Enrichment Record Poster Repository is an open access repository, meaning that anyone will be able to view these posters. We believe open access promotes transparency and supports outreach efforts that help educate both internal and external audiences. Sharing is the optimal way to distribute information to the Laboratory Animal Science community and beyond. There is the ability to post posters anonymously as long as you provide your authorship information to The Enrichment Record.

We are looking forward to your submissions and feedback.

Visit the site: http://www.vetbiotech.com/posters2.php

Issue 8, July 2011

Casey Acklin

2011 Enrichment Rising Star Award Winner

Dr. Ruth Gault, faculty advisor and research scientist in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada with Casey Acklin, 2011 “Enrichment Rising Star” Award winner.

Casey has consistently engaged in furthering his interest in scientific research. He is honored to receive this award, and we agree that he is a rising star in the area of scientific research.
—Colleen Harsin, Director, The Davidson Academy

Where will our future science leaders come from? Fortunately, we don’t have to look too far! Casey Acklin is the brightest shining star on the research horizon. At fifteen, this gifted student has a remarkable set of accomplishments, and his unending natural curiosity has led him on an exciting scientific journey. Casey has an extensive body of work, but it is his latest project, The Effects of Cage Naturality on the Scientific Viability of Mouse Models in Relation to Stress and Cognition, that earned him the 2011 Enrichment Rising Star Award.

Since his first science experiment in early elementary school, Casey Acklin has been hooked on research. He realized that scientific research could be applied to a host of different questions about how the world works, and could be used to increase understanding of various phenomena. At the Davidson Academy of Nevada, a public school for profoundly gifted students, Casey has been pursuing his passion for science and research.

Casey’s interest in animal enrichment began while observing the complexity of a field mouse’s nest in his garage. He noticed how dissimilar the natural habitat was compared to typical laboratory housing. Working with faculty advisor Dr. Ruth Gault, Research Scientist, Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Laboratory Animal Care Services at the University of Nevada, Reno campus, Casey began his research project. “We have a certain obligation to help the next generation through the system and to encourage them,” Dr. Gault said.

Casey’s research attempts to increase the scientific viability of laboratory mice by designing laboratory cages to mimic the natural environment of mice. Since studies have shown that enrichment is beneficial, he hypothesized that a more natural setting would result in more natural behaviors, increasing scientific viability. Results of his research pointed to natural enrichment contributing to a better mouse model for scientific research.

Casey presented his work at the Enrichment Extravaganza on June 13 in Atlantic City, where he was recognized for his achievement with the Enrichment Rising Star Award. Recently, Casey also received the 2011 Special Award for Excellence in Biomedical Research presented by States United for Biomedical Research (SUBR) at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair, in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Enrichment Rising Star Award was created by the Enrichment Record  to recognize exceptional students conducting research in the field of laboratory animal enrichment. Like other scientific fields, enrichment is ever evolving with new and better ways of contributing to animal welfare—the ultimate goal being to provide the best possible environment for the animals in our care. Funded by Huntingdon Life Sciences and Pfizer, the Enrichment Rising Star Award  is designed to encourage and inspire the next generation of our “caring community.”

Issue 8, July 2011

 

 

In Other Words

This year’s Enrichment Extravaganza had something for everyone. The chatter started over breakfast and grew louder and more excited with each presentation. People were enjoying themselves and were happy to spend time with colleagues who share their passion for the animals in their care. Best of all, everyone had something to contribute.

Contrast the good energy at the EE with the negative voices raised by the few uncaring protestors, who assembled outside the Convention Center. They were rallying “against the unspeakable horrors of the vivisection industry” at the Enrichment Extravaganza, which they described as a “perverted convention.” Their harsh words and meager turnout had no real impact and did nothing to dampen our enthusiasm. If anything, their ignorance is a sad reminder of how much educating remains to be done.

Inside, we were learning from one another. Everyone looked for tips to convey the importance of environmental enrichment to investigators who worry about the effect on their data and management concerned with rising costs. Outside, protestors looked for signs of rain and worried about protecting their hand-made signs from the elements.

There were no sticks and stones; only nasty names being thrown about. In the end, the protest didn’t hurt, but it sure didn’t help either.

Issue 8, July 2011