Knowing Me, Knowing You: Reducing Stress in Shelters through EMRA - Dennis Baker, Wood Green Animal...

Dennis Baker OBEChief ExecutiveWood Green Animal Shelters

EMRA – Emotion, Mood, Reinforcement Assessment

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‘‘Knowing Me Knowing You’Knowing Me Knowing You’There IS something we can There IS something we can

do!do!

Today’s Talk Is About…Today’s Talk Is About…

EMRA and how Wood Green EMRA and how Wood Green uses it to enhance the lives of uses it to enhance the lives of

the animals in its carethe animals in its care..

• What EMRA MeansWhat EMRA Means

• How Wood Green Puts How Wood Green Puts EMRA Into PracticeEMRA Into Practice

www.coape.orgwww.coape.org

EMRA – What does it mean?EMRA – What does it mean?• E = Emotion. E = Emotion.

Emotion drives behaviour, so animals act how they Emotion drives behaviour, so animals act how they feel.feel.

• M = Mood. M = Mood. Like us, animals experience mood states and this can Like us, animals experience mood states and this can impact on the emotions they experience.impact on the emotions they experience.

• RA = Reinforcement Assessment. RA = Reinforcement Assessment. Behaviour is repeated if it is being reinforced in some Behaviour is repeated if it is being reinforced in some way. Understanding what this reinforcement is, and if way. Understanding what this reinforcement is, and if necessary modifying it, can solve certain behavioural necessary modifying it, can solve certain behavioural problems.problems.

M = MoodM = Mood

• Foundation of the EMRA theory.Foundation of the EMRA theory.

• Relatively easy to regulate / manipulate.Relatively easy to regulate / manipulate.

• Simple for people to understand.Simple for people to understand.

Mood State AssessmentMood State Assessment

Putting EMRA into PracticePutting EMRA into Practice• Full Staff Training Programme.Full Staff Training Programme.

• Environmental Enrichment for all Species.Environmental Enrichment for all Species.

• Interpret Individual Animal Histories.Interpret Individual Animal Histories.

• Use in the Rehoming Process.Use in the Rehoming Process.

• Public EducationPublic Education

Staff TrainingStaff Training

Staff TrainingStaff Training

• As part of our internal Personal Development As part of our internal Personal Development Programme all staff receive training in all the Programme all staff receive training in all the elements of EMRA.elements of EMRA.

• COAPE have assisted us in ensuring that this COAPE have assisted us in ensuring that this training is current and to the highest standard.training is current and to the highest standard.

Environmental EnrichmentEnvironmental Enrichment

• All animals have a need to perform All animals have a need to perform certain innate behaviours.certain innate behaviours.

• We aim to provide the environment We aim to provide the environment that allows them to do that.that allows them to do that.

• By providing outlets for natural By providing outlets for natural behaviour we are able to improve an behaviour we are able to improve an animals over all mood state – a vital animals over all mood state – a vital element of EMRA.element of EMRA.

Environmental EnrichmentEnvironmental Enrichment

Environmental EnrichmentEnvironmental Enrichment with EMRA in mind with EMRA in mind

• The same principles should apply to The same principles should apply to sick animals = Blue Mood Statesick animals = Blue Mood State

Environmental EnrichmentEnvironmental Enrichment with EMRA in mind with EMRA in mind

• The same principles should apply to The same principles should apply to sick animals = Green Mood Statesick animals = Green Mood State

Environmental EnrichmentEnvironmental Enrichment Pregnancy and Birth Pregnancy and Birth

Environmental Enrichment Environmental Enrichment with EMRA in mindwith EMRA in mind

• Species specificSpecies specific• Simulate natural behaviourSimulate natural behaviour• Relieves boredomRelieves boredom• Promotes good mood statePromotes good mood state• Enhances rehoming prospectsEnhances rehoming prospects• Fun and easy to doFun and easy to do

GoatsGoats

GoatsGoats

• Mountain Dwellers, they need to climb!Mountain Dwellers, they need to climb!

GoatsGoats

• 80% browsers, 20% grazers, they need 80% browsers, 20% grazers, they need to browse!to browse!

GoatsGoats

• Herd animals, they need to live with other Herd animals, they need to live with other goats!goats!

GoatsGoats

• Not as hardy as they look, they need Not as hardy as they look, they need shelter!shelter!

ChickensChickens

ChickensChickens

• They need to scratch and dig for food.They need to scratch and dig for food.

ChickensChickens

• They need access to dry dirt areas to They need access to dry dirt areas to bath and clean themselves in.bath and clean themselves in.

ChickensChickens

• They need the companionship of other They need the companionship of other chickens.chickens.

ChickensChickens

• They need somewhere safe to roost at They need somewhere safe to roost at night.night.

ChickensChickens

• Sometimes they need a little help from Sometimes they need a little help from their friendstheir friends

ChickensChickens

RabbitsRabbits

RabbitsRabbits

• They are group animals, They are group animals, they need the they need the company of other NEUTERED rabbits.company of other NEUTERED rabbits.

• They need soil to dig in.They need soil to dig in.

• They need access to grass or hay to They need access to grass or hay to keep their teeth in order.keep their teeth in order.

RabbitsRabbits

RabbitsRabbits

• They need enough room to run, jump and They need enough room to run, jump and play.play.

RabbitsRabbits

• They need bolt holes to hide in.They need bolt holes to hide in.

RabbitsRabbits

• They need a They need a largelarge hutch area for shelter. hutch area for shelter.

•A Hutch is a A Hutch is a Bed NOT a Bed NOT a Home!Home!

Prey / PredatorPrey / Predator

• It is easier to replicate natural behaviour It is easier to replicate natural behaviour for prey species.for prey species.

• Replicating the natural behaviour of Replicating the natural behaviour of predators can be more of a challenge.predators can be more of a challenge.

• If an outlet is not provided frustration can If an outlet is not provided frustration can build and therefore result in either build and therefore result in either depression or aggression.depression or aggression.

CatsCats

CatsCats

• Prefer to have plenty of personal space.Prefer to have plenty of personal space.• Prefer a quiet and stress free life.Prefer a quiet and stress free life.

CatsCats

• Feel safe if they can get up high.Feel safe if they can get up high.

CatsCats

• Feel safe if they can get in something Feel safe if they can get in something and hide.and hide.

CatsCats

• Need to carry out hunting type Need to carry out hunting type behaviours.behaviours.

CatsCats

• Barren EnvironmentBarren Environment

CatsCats

• Enriched EnvironmentEnriched Environment

CatsCats

• Barren Group EnvironmentBarren Group Environment

CatsCats

• Enriched Group EnvironmentEnriched Group Environment

Dogs - Breed Type SpecificDogs - Breed Type Specific

• Humans have designed breeds to Humans have designed breeds to perform specific tasks.perform specific tasks.

• Different breeds have developed a Different breeds have developed a preference for carrying out different preference for carrying out different behaviours.behaviours.

• If we don’t offer a If we don’t offer a simulatedsimulated outlet for outlet for natural behaviours the average dog will natural behaviours the average dog will find one. Nature will find way!find one. Nature will find way!


• Example = The Siberian HuskyExample = The Siberian Husky


• A working Husky is a happy HuskyA working Husky is a happy Husky


• The Devil Finds Work For Idle Hands…..The Devil Finds Work For Idle Hands…..

Dogs – Dogs – Generic RequirementsGeneric Requirements

• ExerciseExercise• FoodFood• ChewingChewing• CompanionshipCompanionship• Mental StimulationMental Stimulation• PlayPlay• RelaxationRelaxation

Dogs – Dogs – dependent on breed typedependent on breed type

• Exercise – runningExercise – running


• Exercise – Grass gardensExercise – Grass gardens


• Exercise – flushing.Exercise – flushing.


• Exercise – Sniffing / Hunting.Exercise – Sniffing / Hunting.


• Exercise – Digging.Exercise – Digging.


• Exercise – Sand gardensExercise – Sand gardens


• Food – Kongs.Food – Kongs.


• Food – Foraging.Food – Foraging.


• Food – Activity Balls.Food – Activity Balls.


• Chewing – bones, chews, toys.Chewing – bones, chews, toys.


• Companionship – human.Companionship – human.


• Companionship – Canine.Companionship – Canine.


• Mental Stimulation – TrainingMental Stimulation – Training


• Mental Stimulation – Searching.Mental Stimulation – Searching.


• Playing – Chasing.Playing – Chasing.


• Playing – Catching.Playing – Catching.


• Playing – Shaking / Tugging.Playing – Shaking / Tugging.


• Playing –Playing – Gutting. Gutting.


• Resting area – hard, soft, cool or warm.Resting area – hard, soft, cool or warm.


• Resting area – RelaxedResting area – Relaxed


• Resting area – Safe.Resting area – Safe.

Mood State AssessmentMood State Assessment

Interpreting HistoriesInterpreting Histories

• After taking a full intake history we look at After taking a full intake history we look at it through EMRA eyes.it through EMRA eyes.


• If natural behaviours are not given an If natural behaviours are not given an appropriate simulated outlet, stress and appropriate simulated outlet, stress and frustration can build.frustration can build.

• This can lead to behavioural problems.This can lead to behavioural problems.

• By addressing these deficiencies an animal’s By addressing these deficiencies an animal’s mood state (mood state (and therefore its behaviourand therefore its behaviour) can ) can be altered very quickly.be altered very quickly.


• Crib BitingCrib Biting


• Natural BehaviourNatural Behaviour

The Rehoming ProcessThe Rehoming Process

• With EMRA in mind our rehoming staff With EMRA in mind our rehoming staff are trained to discuss each animals are trained to discuss each animals natural drives and advise appropriately.natural drives and advise appropriately.

The Rehoming ProcessThe Rehoming Process• Staff are also Staff are also

trained to assess trained to assess a potential new a potential new owner’s approach owner’s approach to pet ownership, to pet ownership, their expectations their expectations and limitations, in and limitations, in order to ensure a order to ensure a successful successful relationship.relationship.

Educating the PublicEducating the Public• Providing the best food, best veterinary Providing the best food, best veterinary

care and all the love in the world is a care and all the love in the world is a great start - great start - butbut it does not necessarily it does not necessarily result in that animal living an emotionally result in that animal living an emotionally enriched and therefore stable life.enriched and therefore stable life.

• We need to help people make the right We need to help people make the right choice for their lifestyle.choice for their lifestyle.

Educating the PublicEducating the Public

SummarySummary

The simulation of natural behaviour does not The simulation of natural behaviour does not have to be expensive or time consuming.have to be expensive or time consuming.

In Short……..In Short……..

‘‘One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure’. One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure’.

ConclusionConclusion• The impact of our efforts to implement The impact of our efforts to implement

the MOOD aspect of EMRA may well go the MOOD aspect of EMRA may well go a long way to ensure that pets are happy a long way to ensure that pets are happy and emotionally stable, thereby reducing and emotionally stable, thereby reducing or even eradicating behaviour problems.or even eradicating behaviour problems.

• We need to understand them to help We need to understand them to help them make our lives better!them make our lives better!

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Knowing Me, Knowing You: Reducing Stress in Shelters through EMRA - Dennis Baker, Wood Green Animal...

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Transcript of Knowing Me, Knowing You: Reducing Stress in Shelters through EMRA - Dennis Baker, Wood Green Animal...