Historically the concept of enrichment in the laboratory animal research community has focused primarily on nonhuman primates and the provision of novelty and complexity to their living environments, ultimately leading to more species typical behaviors. Governmental regulations also require the opportunity for exercise for canines that live in housing environments that don’t allow significant levels of activity. Although regulations do not require the provision of enrichment to many of the species commonly used in laboratory animal medicine, there is a universal trend to provide enrichment to all species when possible.

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We are constantly bombarded by the need to innovate in the workplace and in our lives. With significant changes facing the laboratory animal care industry, and the need to continually provide the highest quality of animal care and research excellence, we must learn to innovate; the pace of business demands it. Like any art form, innovation requires disciple, patience, consistent effort and a lofty goal. For most of us innovation doesn’t come naturally but with the proper instruction and a good measure of determination we can become effec-tive innovators in the places where we work and live.

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There is profound beauty in the simple. A lone flower bursting through an early spring snowfall, a flock of geese flying south for the winter or a single rose on an otherwise ordinary bush. The power of simplicity should never be lost in anything that is to be done. Some of the most lasting and powerful messages are conveyed through simple means.

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