behavior management acknowledgments approach to · pdf filedon’t waste it! behavioral...

MSMR Enrichment Symposium 15 April 2010

Valerie Hare and Jackson Zee ©2010, The Shape of Enrichment, Inc.

Behavior Management Approach to Laboratory Animal Welfare

Valerie J. Hare Jackson Zee The Shape of Enrichment, Inc. www.enrichment.org

Acknowledgments ➤ MSMR ➤  Lynne Walsh ➤ Gina Savastano ➤  Joanna van de

Schepop ➤ Gail Laule

Download Files http://www.enrichment.org/miniwebfile.php?Region=Temp&File=index.html&NotFlag=1

Challenges Scenarios and Results Presentations and Handouts Enrichment and Training Resources Is It Training or Is It Enrichment? Enrichment Gone Wrong! Sample Article from The Shape of Enrichment

Laboratory to Zoo Concepts, Process Are the SAME!



Overview ➤  Animal Welfare ➤  3 Components of Behavioral Mgmt

➤  Concept ➤  Planning Process

➤ Behavior Mgmt Planning Exercise ➤ Report Back from1-2 groups (IF TIME!) ➤ All Planning Session Ideas and Some

Reference Materials available online

Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare… … “is the degree to which an animal can cope with challenges in its environment as determined by a combination of veterinary health measures and measures of psychological well-being” (AZA /AWC).

Welfare Perception

 Considers individuals -- not populations

 Welfare dependent on animal’s perception of its situation.



Welfare Continuum

Well-Being Extreme Distress Neutral Pleasure

Trevor Poole

5 Freedoms 1.  Freedom from hunger and thirst 2.  Freedom from discomfort 3.  Freedom from pain, injury, and disease 4.  Freedom from fear and distress 5.  Freedom to express normal patterns of

behavior

1992 UK Farm Animal Welfare Council

Undesirable Behaviors   Injurious   Abnormal   Aggression   Stereotypy

How Can Enrichment Help Negate Undesirable Behavior?  Occupy Time -- Physically & Mentally  Distraction / Replacement Behaviors  Negate Cause  Reconnect Behavior to Expected Outcome

 Prevention vs Treatment



Undesirable Behaviors   Injurious

  Self or Cagemate   Barbering   Excessive Grooming

Undesirable Behaviors

  Injurious

  Abnormal   Regurgitate and Re-ingestion   Odd, no apparent function

Undesirable Behaviors

  Injurious

  Abnormal   Aggression

  Towards Cage-mates or People

Undesirable Behaviors   Injurious

  Abnormal   Aggression   Stereotypic

  Repetitive, invariant, serve no purpose   e.g. pace, head toss



Stereotypies   Abnormal animal-environment interaction   Normal behavior gone awry   Sign of poor welfare   Helps animal to cope with suboptimal captive

environment   Treat CAUSE not behavior!

Stereotypies

 Herbivore Stereoypies   Oral stereotypies AFTER feeding

 Carnivore Stereotypies   Locomotor occurring BEFORE feeding

Origin of Well-Being of Syrian Hamsters

Joanna Angélica van de Schepop

  PUC Minas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil   40 Hamsters   5 Conditions (Control, Enrichment,

Training, Random Food, Petting)

Origin of Well-Being in Syrian Hamsters   Measurements

  Behavior   Behavioral Diversity (Species-Specific Behaviors)   Abnormal Behavior   Performance in Psychological Tests

  Morphometric   Adrenal Gland, Brain, Testes, Epididimys

  Fecal Cortisol



Origin of Well-Being in Syrian Hamsters   Measurements

  Behavior   Behavioral Diversity (Species-Specific Behaviors)   Abnormal Behavior   Performance in Psychological Tests 1

  Morphometric 1   Adrenal Gland, Brain, Testes, Epididimys 1

  Fecal Cortisol

1 No significant results

Fecal Corticosteroid Metabolites   Random Food *   Enrichment *   Training *   Control *   Petting

* Statistically Significant Result

Petting Group   Highest Cortisol *   Lowest Behavior

Diversity *   Most Abnormal

Behavior *

* Statistically Significant Result

Good Welfare Is Important

For Everyone !



Behavior Management

Behavior Management

Enrichment

EE Benefits ➤  Animal Welfare: Physical Health

1.  Physical Fitness, Longevity 2.  Immune Function 3.  Decrease Aggression 4.  Mental Stimulation 5.  Development of Young



EE Benefits ➤  Animal Welfare: Behavioral Health

1.  Behavioral Repertoire 2.  Species-Appropriate Behaviors 3.  Stimulus-Behavior-Expected Outcome 4.  Learning, Adaptation, Coping Skills 5.  Cultural Transmission

EE Benefits ➤  Management Tool

1.  Shifting 2.  Introductions 3.  Stress of Husbandry and Research

Procedures 4.  Wear and Tear on Habitat & Furniture

Enrichment Definition

… A dynamic process for enhancing animal environments within the context of the animals’ behavioral biology and natural history. Environmental changes are made with the goal of increasing the animals’ behavioral choices and drawing out their species-appropriate behaviors, thus enhancing animal welfare.

AZA/BAG 1999 Enrichment Working Group

Key Points: ➤  Change to Environment

➤  Opportunity to Express Behavior

➤  Enhances Welfare



Power

Choice

Key Points: ➤  Change to Environment

Environmental Enrichment encompasses ALL aspects of the captive animal’s environment

5 Categories of Enrichment

5 Enrichment Categories

Conspecificsfur seal groupsolitary mountain lion

Other Animalshorse & goatmixed parrot flock

Peoplecaretakertrainervisitors

Other?mirrorlook-alike

SOCIAL

Mental Stimulationpuzzle feederstraining session

Novel Experienceunusual scent, sightnew potential food

COGNITIVE

Perching /Climbing Structuretexture, diametermotion, resting spots

Substratesmaterials (variety)shape / amountwater elemen

Nest / Denvarietybuild their ownnesting material

Refugesfrom people, animalselevations, viewpointspartial visual barrier

Climate Gradientlighttemperaturehumidity

PHYSICALHABITAT

Tactilemanipulandabrush boardsubstrate pile

Olfactory & Tastepackaged scentnatural scent (dung, urine, slough, hide)

Auditoryvocalizations"white" noisebell, xylophone

Visualsight of preymirrormoving car, toy

SENSORY

Novel Food Itemsmelon to hyenafrozen juice to rodent

Food Presentationpuzzle feederscatter feedinghidden/buried food

FOOD

Download from: www.enrichment.org

Not Mutually Exclusive

Perching / Climbing Structures   Multiple Perches/Structures

  Varied   Diameter   Flexibility / Mobility   Texture   Elevations   Resting Site Style

(e.g. hammock, fork, platform)



Refuges   Varied Orientation   Multiple Entries/Exits

(no traps)

  Illusion of Visual Barrier (from people, other animals)

  Correlation between 360 public view and poor welfare

Climate Gradient   Light   Temperature   Humidity   Airflow

➤  Investigatory Value (physical, mental) ➤  May not be Consumed

  Behaviorally unimportant   Delete calories from diet

➤  Novelty Important   High latency



Food Presentation Many Animals: 1.  Time and/or energy 2.  Specialized feed /

forage behaviors 3.  Physical

adaptations 4.  Prefer to work for

food (Contrafreeloading)

Feeding Strategies to Fill Time and Expend Energy   Scatter feed   Hidden food   Puzzle feeder   Anything requiring “work” or

“thinking”

Golden Opportunities Every bit of food your animals receive is an opportunity to enrich and/or train!

DON’T WASTE IT!

Behavioral Opportunity



Power / Choice

Power / Choice

  Empower the Animal   Control part of its captive environment

  Offer Choice   In how, and if, they exercise that power   Ignore is a choice

Enrichment Is for Individuals ! ➤  Individual Preferences, History, Ability ➤ Animal’s “Job” ➤ Taxonomic Group ➤ Season ➤ Reproductive State ➤ Age ➤ Gender ➤ Place in the Social Hierarchy ➤ Etc.

What Choices Should You Offer? Ask Your Animals

And LISTEN to their Answers!



ENRICHMENT FRAMEWORK

Process Derivation Reptile EE Consultant

AZA / BHAG meeting 1999 •  Validated process •  Fine-tuning •  SPIDER (Mellen & MacPhee)

Enrichment Planning ➤ Don’t ask what ITEMS to use ➤ Ask what behavioral OPPORTUNITIES

to provide! 1.  Planning Chart (1/goal) 2.  Each strategy is tested until accepted 3.  Results in list of approved items, ALL

achieving specific behavioral goal

Goals

Research

Finalist

Criteria

Brainstorm

Accept

Revise Prototype

Revise

Evaluation: Goal Met?

Observe & Record

Test

Staff Input

Approval Process

Alternates

Planning Enrichment

Download from: www.enrichment.org



Research ➤  Species

1.  Natural History 2.  Behavioral Biology

➤  Individual 1.  History 2.  Animal’s “Job” 3.  Daily Schedule, Diet

➤  Fact Sheet

Goals   Behavior

Decrease Stereotypic Behavior   Biological

Increase Physical Fitness through Exercise   Logistics

Encourage Shifting

Brainstorming Rules

  Say WHATEVER comes to mind!   Do NOT evaluate ideas   Write down EVERY idea

EE Criteria (a.k.a. Limitations)

  Resources   Practicality   Research Protocols



Finalists vs Alternates

  KEEP YOUR ALTERNATES LIST!

  Difficult to come up with ldeas later!!!

Sample Approval Request Bamboo Feeders. One or more segments of bamboo with 3 to 4 large (1.5 to 2 inch diameter) holes drilled in them and foliovore biscuits placed inside. These will be offered one or more at a time. At first, they will be placed in easy to reach areas. The difficulty of obtaining them will be steadily increased. Fresh (preferred) or dry bamboo. 1. Goals: Mental Stimulation, Prolong

Foraging Time 2. Animal: All Andean Bears 3. Areas: Exhibit, Night Quarters

Safety

  Enriched environment = more danger

  Accept risk

  Act to reduce the risks: Try to imagine every way they can interact with enrichment

Safety Concerns   Injure Themselves   Injure Other Animals, Staff   Escape   Caretaker Access

  www.enrichment.org   Safety Database   Enrichment Gone Wrong pdf (2007 ICEE)



Common Safety Issues   Hole size   Limb, head, antler / horn, digit traps   Sharp edges / points   Strangling (neck, limb)   Ingestion   Heavy weights   Physical restraint   Suffocation

Inspect, Inspect, Inspect!   Wear and Tear of Items   Cleanliness of Items   Frayed Material (e.g. Rope)   Unsecured Ends (e.g. Wire)   Loose Parts   Be SURE the item you give is approved for

THAT individual

Levels of Assessment   Formal Behavior Data Collection & Analysis

  Do whenever needed/possible as determined by you and your institution

  Research   Major new items, habitat renovation   Social changes

Levels of Assessment   Formal Behavior Data Collection & Analysis   Informal Behavior Data

  Collect data in a less rigorous manner, using same techniques

  Check effectiveness, habituation   Overnight enrichment   Possible Ethogram:

  Using EE   Not Using EE; but EE has been used   Not Using EE; EE unused



Levels of Assessment   Formal Behavior Data Collection & Analysis   Informal Behavior Data   EE Interaction Rating

  All new items (safety, effectiveness)   Design modification   Periodic repeats (effectiveness)

Enrichment Interaction Rating   Assign an overall rating that best

captures the interaction with EE   0-3 Ethogram Example

0 = no interaction 1 = investigates without interacting (e.g. sniff,

stare, contact). Or, if interaction occurs, it is minimal (e.g. touch with paw, tentative bite)

2 = interacts with EE (more than #1, less than #3) 3 = vigorous interaction or very long duration. Fully

explores EE. May defend from conspecifics.

Summary

  Assessment Necessary For   New Animals   New Items   Safety Concerns   Design Modifications   Initial Effectiveness   Long-term Effectiveness, Habituation

  EE Interaction, Informal, or Formal

Repeat As Needed   Build a Library of Approved Items with

Specific Goals

  Repeating EE Over and Over = NOT ENOUGH ITEMS on Your Approved List!



Summary – Enrichment Planning   EE NOT a luxury or afterthought   IS powerful behavior management tool

1.  Make commitment to EE 2.  Place appropriate emphasis on EE

  For effective EE plan 1.  Goal (address all categories) 2.  Test 3.  Evaluate 4.  Revise as needed

Behavioral Conditioning for Research Animals

Jackson Zee & Valerie Hare The Shape of Enrichment, Inc.

for the Massachusetts Society for Medical Research (MSMR)

April 15, 2010

JTZ, MSMR April 2010

Purpose   Effective and Efficient use of

enrichment, training and problem solving in the behavioral management

  Legal requirement to provide well-being as per USDA for some taxa

  Improved welfare for the animals in our care!


Overview   What is behavioral conditioning or

animal training?   Why should we use training?   How do we prepare a training plan?




Plan for this afternoon 1.  What is animal training? 2.  Why should it matter to us? 3.  Where is training used with animals? With people? 4.  How can training animal help us? 5.  Developing training plans


1. What is Animal Training?   Definition of training (learning)

  Classical conditioning   Operant conditioning

  I can get my dog to sit…is it trained?   Why won’t they come in when I tell

them to?


Definition of Animal Training   ‘Learning can be broadly defined as a change in

behavior resulting from practice or experience; when practice or experience is dictated by humans, the process of called training.’ (Mellen and Ellis, 1996)

  A tool used to teach animals using behavior modification techniques in a positive manner as part of on-going behavioral husbandry management.

  The art and science of managing captive wild animals using all current tools available that considers their physical and mental well being.


The behavior continuum   For the trainer, we choose when we ‘train’ the animals   For the animals, the ‘training’ activity is just part of the day   The behavior continuum basically means that behavior is

occurring all the time even when the trainer is not around and that behavior can change over time to meet the needs of the individual.

  Training has effects outside of training sessions.   Training can be enriching to animals when used properly.




What does training animals have to do with me?

  Is it enriching?   Doesn’t it take a lot of time?   Don’t I need to be certified or

something?   I don’t have any equipment to train

with


A few facts about animal training

  Training is an interactive enrichment. Where the interactions between trainer/s and animal/s.

  Training interactions happen very quickly. Use all your senses and remember to use safety equipment when appropriate.

  If you need to put food pans or trays or browse or seed or any food item, you are already training the animals. JTZ, MSMR April 2010

The benefits of training   Social and cognitive enrichment   It takes time but it builds positive credibility with

your animals   Anyone can begin training animals and any one

can call themselves a trainer   Training is a venue of communication between

animals and their caretakers   No special equipment is needed but safety should

be the most important aspect (remember now you will be working with animals directly you will need to consider your own protection and the protection of the animals during the interaction)

JTZ, MSMR April 2010 JTZ, MSMR April 2010

Learning Theory   Definition & where is it applied?   Conditioning

  Classical Conditioning   Operant Conditioning

  Observational learning   Other learning methods




Classical Conditioning   A basic form of learning in which a neutral event,

unconditioned stimulus (US) initially incapable of evoking certain responses acquires the ability to do so through repeated pairing with other stimuli that are capable that are able to elicit such responses. This type of conditioning does not involve any voluntary choices by the animal; the response or reaction is reflexive and not dependent on operant learning.


Pavlov & his dogs


Pavlov & his dogs


Pavlov & his dogs




Pavlov & his dogs


Stimulus   Unconditioned stimulus is a stimulus

that elicits a particular response without any prior association. Not learned. It is a uncontrollable reflex.


Reinforcement   Primary or unconditioned reinforcer is

a reinforcing event that does not depend on learning or previous experience to achieve its reinforcing properties.   Biological needs:

  Water   Food   Warmth   Sex JTZ, MSMR April 2010

Operant Conditioning   A type of learning in which behavior is

determined by its consequences. (strengthened if followed by reinforcement [positive or negative] and diminished if followed by punishment). The animal ‘operates’ on the environment, leading to a desired outcome; the animal’s behavior is instrumental in acquiring the desire outcome.




ABCs of Operant Conditioning

2. Behavior

3. Consequence

1.  Antecedent


Skinner & his rats


Skinner & his rats


Skinner & his rats




Skinner & his rats


Stimulus   Conditioned stimulus a cue or a signal that will elicit

a specific response as a result of learned association between the stimulus and the response. Also known as a discriminative stimulus (Sd).

  Stimulus control once a behavior is shaped and is immediately offered following discriminative stimulus (Sd); only offered to the correct stimulus (Sd) and is not offered when the stimulus (Sd) is not presented


Reinforcement   Secondary reinforcement is a object or

event that initially has no meaning but acquires reinforcing qualities through pairing with a primary reinforcer.

  Positive (+R) is process of providing something the subject wants. (PRT) This is what we use!

  Negative is a process of providing something the subject wants to avoid.

Training Steps

Transfer stimulus control to other staff

Evaluate progress (Have you established stimulus control?)

Document progress

Develop your training steps for that one behavior

Identify the one person to work on the training of that behavior

Identify the one behavior you will work on

Research behaviors for your species




Training Rules of Thumb   One person will train a behavior at a time with

one animal with new behavior while other behavior are maintained

  Reinforcer should be something that trainee wants and enjoys it can be something special like a treat or part of their normal diet but then you will want to consider monitoring weight and diet amounts

  Use a clear and understandable bridge that has been established as an strong reinforcer

Training Rules of Thumb   Make each training step achievable as

to not frustrate the trainee and the session should not be very long in the beginning

  End your session on a positive note!   The trainer and trainee should be

enjoying the structured training process

So now I know what you are talking about….now what?

  Applying training tools   Thinking about our actions around

animals   How does training help manage and

improve the welfare of animals in our care?

So now I know what you are talking about….now what?

  Commonly seen behavior management solutions for: poor shifting, finicky eaters, aggression, under-socialized animals, new introductions, free-ranging animals, husbandry examinations, preference and sensory research on and on



Research Training   Medical Research

  Pharmacology   Immunology   Epidemiology

  Sensory Research   Auditory, Visual,   Food Preference

  Cognition Research   Language

IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE!

Planning to train (preparation)

Research behaviors for your

species or situation

Identify goals that

training will achieve for

specific animal or

group

Develop ideas on

how to train the behavior

Get staff input

Include institutional guidelines on animal

care, veterinarian

support, facilities

support, and support from researchers

Preparation   Research behaviors for your species or

situation   Identify goals that training will achieve for

specific animal or group   Develop ideas on how to train the

behavior   Get staff input   Include institutional guidelines on animal

care, veterinarian support, facilities support, and support from researchers

Planning to train (testing)

Get institutional

support and

approval

Remember Steps/

Rules of Thumb

Test/Train

Observe & Document after every

session scale of 1-5



Testing   Get institutional support and approval   Remember Steps/Rules of Thumb   Test/Train   Observe & Document after every

session use scale of 1-5

Planning to train (evaluation)

Evaluate progress

(using scale and training comments)

Achieve stimulus

control (Is the behavior actually

changed?)

Transfer stimulus control

Maintain criteria (long

term maintenance of behaviors)

Evaluation   Evaluate progress (using scale and

training comments)   Achieve stimulus control (Is the

behavior actually changed?)   Transfer stimulus control   Maintain criteria (long term

maintenance of behaviors

Developing a training plan   Example: Our sows are difficult to work around

and now now we have to get routine weights and blood work

1.  Research & Identified Goal- Restraint chute training for sow for weights, blood work and to facilitate transport/cleaning

2. Write out a training plan with other staff of how to successively approximate the sows into a transporter or restraint chute

3.  Check with institutional guidelines (IACUC), veterinary staff (health), facilities (safety), nutrition staff (training treats), researchers (PIs)



Developing a training plan 4. Get support and approval to implement

your plan from the powers that be! VERY IMPORTANT!

5. Remember the training rules of thumb and the steps

6. Begin training! 7. Document your training in a training

notebook for one animal or a group (depending on what you are trying to train)

Developing a training plan

8. Provide progress updates to supervisor and managers! Keep them appraised of the great work you are doing! (using a scale system for rating allows for quantitative way of evaluation progress and success)

9. Once the behavior of crating is 99.98% reliable transfer the behavior to other staff

10. Maintain the behavior using the training steps if the behavior mutates or deteriorates over time

11. Train another behavior!

Summary   Planning your training will help in clearly

identifying your goal and your progress   Enrichment, Training and Problem

solving are tools used in behavioral management

  Uses these tools effectively and efficiently will benefit animals in our care

  Good behavioral management is good behavioral management

Problem Solving



Problem-Solving Steps 1.  Identify Behavioral Objective(s) 2.  Assess the Situation (gather information) 3.  Develop Hypotheses (all that seem

reasonable) 4.  Develop Solution(s) for EACH Hypothesis

and Implement 5.  Assess Results (Behavioral Goals Met?)

  Each table has a Challenge   Enrichment Scenario

  Use planning chart to develop EE strategies to meet goal. (Do Lots!)

  Complete 1 form per strategy   Problem-Solving Scenario

  Use problem-solving steps to develop hypotheses and solutions.

  Complete 1 form per hypothesis.

Group Project “Challenges”

  We will collect ALL your completed forms

  We will create a digital version

  MSMR and Shape will post them on our websites for you to download

Group Project “Challenges”

Thank you!

http://www.enrichment.org [email protected] [email protected]




Enrichment & Training Resources Association of British Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK). Publishes Ratel and an enrichment manual. www.abwak.org.uk. Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK). Publishes AKF (Animal Keeper Forum) and an enrichment manual. www.aazk.org. Australasian Society of Zoo Keepers (ASZK). Publishes Thylacinus and an enrichment manual (esp. good for Australian animals). Animal Training On Line. Hosted by the Fort Worth Zoo. www.animaltrainingonline.org. Clum, N., Silver, S., and Thomas, P. 2007. Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. Wildlife

Conservation Society. Available only from The Shape of Enrichment. www.enrichment.org. Enrichment On Line. Hosted by the Fort Worth Zoo. www.enrichmentonline.org. Hare, V. and Kroshko, J. (eds). IN PRESS. Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. The Shape of

Enrichment. Hare, V. , Kroshko, J., and Worley, K. (eds). 2008. Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. The Shape

of Enrichment. Hare, V., Worley, K., and Hammond, B. (eds). 2003. Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. The

Shape of Enrichment. Hare, V., Worley, K., and Myers, K. (eds). 2001. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. The Shape

of Enrichment. Hare, V. and Worley, K. 1998. Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. The Shape of Enrichment, Inc. Holst, B. (ed). 1996. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. See www.enrichment.org for ordering

info. International Conference on Environmental Enrichment (ICEE). A biennial conference on enrichment. www.enrichment.org. International Zoo News. www.species.net. Kleiman, D.G., Allen, M.E., Thompson, K.V., and Lumpkin, S. (eds). 1997. Wild Mammals in Captivity: Principles and Techniques. Martin, P. and Bateson, P. 1993. Measuring Behaviour. Cambridge Univ. Press. ISBN: 0442251254. Pryor, K. 1984. Don’t Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training. New York: Bantam Books. Ramirez, K. 1999. Animal Training: Successful Animal Management through Positive Reinforcement. Chicago, Illinois: Shedd Aquarium. Regional Environmental Enrichment Conferences (REEC). Operates listserve, facilitates conference organization, posts some proceedings.

www.reec.info/index.net and www.enrichment.org. The Shape of Enrichment, Inc. Publishes The Shape of Enrichment. Operates an Enrichment and Training Video Library. Conducts

Enrichment Workshops. www.enrichment.org. Shepherdson, D. and Mellen, J. Compendium of Enrichment Ideas. Metro Washington Park Zoo, Portland, Oregon, USA. Shepherdson, D, Mellen, J., and Hutchins, M. 1998. Second Nature. Smithsonian Inst. Press. ISBN: 1560983973. Contains select, peer-

reviewed papers from the First International Conference on Environmental Enrichment. UFAW (Universities Federation for Animal Welfare). Publishes Animal Welfare. www.ufaw.org. Young, R. 2003. Environmental Enrichment for Captive Animals. THE book on enrichment. Zoo Biology. Journal published by Wiley-Liss, USA.

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