ABSTRACT
Biomedical research is necessary to advance therapeutics and interventions that reduce morbidity and mortality as well as enhance quality of life (QOL). Though nonhuman primates (NHPs) represent the smallest fraction of animals used in biomedical research (<1"), they play a predominant role in translational investigations. The diversity of research using NHPs exposes animals to a variety of medical experiences ranging from universal practices, such as blood collection and simple injections to more complicated disease management or intensive therapeutic interventions. Behavioral management techniques can be used to reduce or eliminate restraint, which is typically used for routine physical examinations or procedures, and also more complicated, protocol-specific research interventions, presenting a major opportunity for refinement. Positive reinforcement training (PRT) can be used to help animals effectively cope with research interventions, and in case of disease modeling, participate in their own medical care through cooperation.
