Joipaw, a startup company based in the U.K., is looking to promote cognitive health benefits in dogs. The company was founded by Dersium Avdar who wanted to create a way in which his family’s dog could be occupied when it became more active and required additional attention that was more than the family could provide at that moment. With his love for games and after reading a study conducted by European researchers in 2017, Avdar decided to take it a step farther.
The study tested approximately 300 dogs as well as 20 wolves and had them interact with simple touch-screen taps. This led to potential cognitive stimulation that could benefit a dog’s brain health as it ages. Avdar is taking what was revealed in the study and incorporating touch-based games that are initiated through a dogs snout. Games such as whack-a-mole are what he is dabbling with. Avdar said, “I’m taking the torch that the researchers lit and bringing it farther.” How far is yet to be determined.
Some obstacles can present themselves when trying to get a dog to interact with the touch-screen. The games are simple for humans because we know that it is a game. To get the dogs to start and interact with the screen is the most difficult part especially with dogs new to its capabilities. Peanut butter was spread on the moisture-resistant screens, and they engaged quickly, but can also pose a problem if the dog is only seeing the food and not the fun. When they do realize the game that is before them the dogs react positively to the interaction. Most sessions can run about half an hour for the more persistent dogs. Avdar also said that, “Joipaw’s games are not meant to be a replacement for spending time with your dog.”
The future for it is uncertain, but Joipaw will be experimenting and developing additional games including potentially a game about avoiding spikes on a Hedgehog that a dog can play with its owner. The future of pet gaming is upon us.
What do you think about games for dogs or other pets in the future? Do you have a canine pal that you think would benefit from using technology such as this? I wouldn’t mind playing a round of whack-a-mole with my dog Daphne. Tell us your thoughts on this topic.
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Source: Axios.com
Image Source: Provided by Author
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