Reese, E. P. 1991. The role of husbandry in promoting the welfare of laboratory animals. In: Animals in Biomedical Research. Hendriksen, C. F. M. , Koeter, H. B. W. M. (eds), 155-192. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Thorough discussion of environmental enrichment strategies. Pragmatic reasons support ethical ones for improving the laboratory environment. ... An important, and often neglected, source of social enrichment, especially when animals must be isolated from conspecifics, is attention from caretakers and technicians. ... That many scientists lack detailed information about their animals, especially their behavior, is distressing and reflects a serious disregard for the single most important element of their research. ... The animal is the key to the entire experiment. ... The proper handling of laboratory animals is as essential to the collection of valid data as it is to the animals' comfort and well-being. The more the animal is handled properly, the more docile it becomes, especially if handling begins at an early age. Conversely, the more an animal is mishandled, the more difficult, frightened, and aggressive it is likely to become. ... Successful shaping requires the right attitude, a thorough understanding of the individual animal and of the task to be performed, and clinical skills. There is only one 'right' attitude, and that is respect for the individual animal. ... My students must name their animals, and I do not let them put an animal in the apparatus until they show me it will eat from their hands. ... Throughout this chapter I have tried to develop the familiar thesis that what is good for our animals is good for science.