Understanding dairy cow behavior has been a hot topic of dairy science research in the last few decades. In a special issue of JDS Communications dedicated to behavior in dairy animals, a new study highlights the importance of environmental enrichment for improving the welfare of housed dairy cows. Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that introducing a simple novel object into the cows’ environment can significantly reduce boredom-associated behaviors, make the environment more engaging, and help the dairy science community better understand the effects of housing on behavior.