Expanding Shelter Dog Research and Service to Encompass University Campus Communities
Abstract
Many animal shelters are actively exploring social enrichment (SE) programs to alleviate animal stress and reduce residency times. SE invests in resources for focal animals (e.g. field trips, play groups, and/or augmented cages) to improve health, temperament, and adoption prospects. SE hinges on many factors, including strategic design and resource recruitment (e.g. human volunteers) to implement data-driven protocols. We propose that college students can help expand and refine SE efforts of campus-adjacent animal shelters, while meeting student needs for meaningful service and research opportunities. To demonstrate this, we completed diverse SE-related activities over the last two semesters using public data, scientific literature, experiential work, and organizational development. The tasks described in our poster include: 1) volunteering in the Broward animal shelter to learn their protocols, needs, and SE approaches, 2) analyzing data from >8000 canines transiting the facility in 2020-2024 to identify traits (e.g. breed, sex, age, size) predicting long residency, and therefore meriting SE priority, 3) enumerating diverse personal, professional, and wellness benefits of SE volunteerism, 4) pilot studies of a mitochondrial biomarker-based SE assessment, and 5) establishing a club to bring SE (and focal animals) into contact with more NSU students. These quantitative, qualitative, and organizational activities lay a strong foundation for further connectivity between NSU and Broward animal rescue; we hope they will also provide a case study to inspire similar work at other institutions, thereby benefiting additional higher-ed institutions and animal control facilities.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Ozga, Dr. Eben Gering
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-3-2024 12:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2024 1:30 PM
Expanding Shelter Dog Research and Service to Encompass University Campus Communities
Alvin Sherman Library
Many animal shelters are actively exploring social enrichment (SE) programs to alleviate animal stress and reduce residency times. SE invests in resources for focal animals (e.g. field trips, play groups, and/or augmented cages) to improve health, temperament, and adoption prospects. SE hinges on many factors, including strategic design and resource recruitment (e.g. human volunteers) to implement data-driven protocols. We propose that college students can help expand and refine SE efforts of campus-adjacent animal shelters, while meeting student needs for meaningful service and research opportunities. To demonstrate this, we completed diverse SE-related activities over the last two semesters using public data, scientific literature, experiential work, and organizational development. The tasks described in our poster include: 1) volunteering in the Broward animal shelter to learn their protocols, needs, and SE approaches, 2) analyzing data from >8000 canines transiting the facility in 2020-2024 to identify traits (e.g. breed, sex, age, size) predicting long residency, and therefore meriting SE priority, 3) enumerating diverse personal, professional, and wellness benefits of SE volunteerism, 4) pilot studies of a mitochondrial biomarker-based SE assessment, and 5) establishing a club to bring SE (and focal animals) into contact with more NSU students. These quantitative, qualitative, and organizational activities lay a strong foundation for further connectivity between NSU and Broward animal rescue; we hope they will also provide a case study to inspire similar work at other institutions, thereby benefiting additional higher-ed institutions and animal control facilities.
