Environmental enrichment for animals

Description

Types, methods and use of enrichment for animals to allow the expression of natural behaviour, including the provision of environmental stimuli, feeding activities, puzzles, items for manipulation, social and training activities.

Alternative labels

behavioral enrichment
environmental enrichment for animals in captivity
environmental enrichment for an animal
behavioural enrichment
types and methods of environmental enrichment

Skill type

knowledge

Skill reusability level

sector-specific

Relationships with occupations

Essential knowledge

Environmental enrichment for animals is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Specialised veterinarian: Specialised veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity, all aspects of veterinary medicine, in the interest of the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. In addition they need a recognized qualification and/or experience in a specific species and/or veterinary procedure.

Veterinary specialisms are generally classified according to species and/or procedures, for example:

Species covered may include equine and zoological animals
Procedures covered may include cardiology, orthopaedics

Current lists  of specialisms and details for the specific qualifications and experience required can be found at:
http://www.ebvs.org/
https://www.avma.org/Pages/home.aspx

You are advised to contact the relevant national regulatory body for further information.
Animal massage therapist: Animal massage therapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral concentrating on manual and mechanical manipulation of soft tissues to promote healing and recovery in animals in accordance with national legislation.
Animal care attendant: Animal care attendants provide routine care for non-production animals, which may include feeding, watering, cleaning, exercise and enrichment, grooming, training and monitoring of the health and welfare, in accordance with national legislation.

Animal therapist: Animal therapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral.
Animal handler: Animal handlers are in charge of handling animals in a working role and continue the training of the animal, in accordance with national legislation.
Veterinary nurse: Veterinary nurses support animals undergoing veterinary treatment and give advice to veterinary clients in the promotion of animal health and disease prevention in accordance with national legislation.
Alternative animal therapist: Alternative animal therapists investigate sick or injured small and large animals and provide an alternative healing treatment. They may use homeopathy or acupuncture and other alternative medicines or methods to heal the animal. Alternative animal therapists also advise treatments which strengthen the self-healing powers of animals. 
Animal welfare inspector: Animal welfare inspectors investigate alleged reports of animal cruelty or neglect, rescue or collect animals in immediate or potential risk, liaise with internal and external agencies and other animal welfare establishments, educate and advise owners and carers of animals, seek to improve or maintain the welfare of the animal(s), and prevent or alleviate suffering.

Equine dental technician: Equine dental technicians provide routine equine dental care, using appropriate equipment in accordance with national legislation.

Animal physiotherapist: Animal physiotherapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on the application of physical therapy and exercise procedures to support animal rehabilitation after a surgery or an injury, aiming to return the animals to normal function and/or maintain performance inaccordance with national legislation.
Animal behaviourist: Animal behaviourists work with animals and people to study, observe, assess and understand animal behaviour in relation to specific factors and to prevent or address inappropriate or problematic behaviours within individual animals through the development of suitable environments and management regimes, in accordance with national legislation. 
Pet sitter: Pet sitters provide animal-sitting services including dog walking, home-boarding, pet/home sitting, day boarding and animal transportation services.  They maintain records, use appropriate and safe handling techniques and do routine monitoring of the health and welfare of the animal.
Veterinary technician: Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.
Animal chiropractor: Animal chiropractors provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on spinal manipulation or manual therapy for animals in accordance with national legislation.
Animal osteopath: Animal osteopaths provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on the application of treatment techniques using manipulation of the body tissues to resolve strain and injury in animals in accordance with national legislation.

General veterinarian: General veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity, all aspects of veterinary medicine, in the interest of the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. The generalist veterinarian can work with any species, however they may choose to work with a single species or types such as equine, companion or production animals.
Animal hydrotherapist: Animal hydrotherapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on use of water-resistance to treat conditions, assist post-operative recovery, give pre-operative exercises and enhance general fitness in accordance with national legislation.
Animal trainer: Animal trainers train animals and/or animal handlers for general and specific purposes, including assistance, security, leisure, competition, transportation, obedience and routine handling, entertainment and education, in accordance with national legislation.

Optional knowledge

Environmental enrichment for animals is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Official veterinarian: Official veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity all veterinary activities with particular focus on the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. They are responsible for national animal disease eradication programmes, the protection of public health and food or animal inspection, animal movements, and import and export of live animals and their products.
Animal groomer: Animal groomers are in charge of grooming a range of animals, using the correct equipment, materials and methods. It includes use of appropriate and safe handling techniques and the promotion of good hygiene, health and welfare of the animal. 

Live animal transporter: Live animal transporters provide transport and transfer for live animals, including the monitoring of the health and welfare of animals, the planning of, and preparation for journeys, loading and unloading of animals, according to national and international legislation.

 


 

References

  1. Environmental enrichment for animals – ESCO

 

Last updated on September 20, 2022