Animal Technology at the Vet
Rébecca Kleinberger, Jennifer Cunha, and Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas
Collabroative Institutes:
About
Technology has changed drastically in the past decade, creating new opportunities for enrichment and interaction for parrots and caregivers. From movement-triggered environmental control devices to interactive games and tablet apps for birds, technology creates the possibility for improved husbandry and mental wellness for parrots. However, many of these technologies have been adapted from systems developed for humans and ad-hoc adapted for birds who have vastly different physiology and require different pedagogical approaches. In this project we worked with veterinarians to contemplate how technology can support animals and their caregivers to improve their everyday lives and welfare as-well-as increase their sense of agency.
Publication
Birds’ Use of Technology for Enrichment and Socialization, Kleinberger, Rebecca, Jennifer Cunha, Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas. Proceedings of the 2023 National Convension of Exotics Veterinarians (Exoticscon) 2023