Invited Speaker

Training, Enrichment, and Training as Enrichment: A Historical, Pragmatic Approach to Applied Behavior Analysis with Animals

Abstract

Animal training and environmental enrichment are both important advancements associated with current behavioral welfare practices. While animal training and its connection to reinforcement is clear, less known is how the field of enrichment began as a form of ‘behavioral engineering’, and thus, just as reliant on operant conditioning procedures. Additionally, how we define enrichment in terms of contingencies, the concept of training as a form of enrichment, and how we measure enriching effects are all equally important. This paper examines the concepts of training and enrichment as behavior analytic endeavors in three parts: (1) the history of modern training and enrichment practices, (2) the concept of training to enrich animal lives, and (3) the ways we can measure our training and enrichment successes. Within each category, I discuss the research and publication literature relevant to each area, as well as the ways behavior analysis has been, is, or could be involved to promote better applied animal behavior practices. In short, my main goal is to provide audience members with a general synopsis of how applied behavior analysis is done with animals.

Get to Know Eduardo Fernandez

Eduardo J. Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer of Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare in the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at the University of Adelaide (Australia). He received his Ph.D. in Psychology (minors in Neuroscience and Animal Behavior) from Indiana University, where he worked with the Indianapolis and Cincinnati Zoo. He received his M.S. in Behavior Analysis from the University of North Texas, where he founded the Organization for Reinforcement Contingencies with Animals (ORCA). Most of his past and current work involves behavioral research applied to the welfare and training of zoo, aquarium, and companion animals. His past positions include a Visiting Professorship in the School of Behavior Analysis at the Florida Institute of Technology, an Affiliate Professorship with the Psychology Department at Trinity Lutheran College, an Affiliate Assistant Professorship in the Psychology Department at the University of Washington, a Research Fellowship with Woodland Park Zoo, and a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship. While working with UW and the Woodland Park Zoo, he started the Behavioral Enrichment Animal Research (BEAR) group, which conducted welfare research with many of the species and exhibits located throughout the zoo. He currently runs the Operant Welfare Lab (OWL), which is dedicated to the use of learning principles to improve the lives of animals across many settings, including exotic animals in zoos, companion animals in homes and shelters, and agricultural animals in farms. Many of his past publications, research projects, and presentations can be found on his ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eduardo_Fernandez18