Meet Alex Johnson
Purina Pet Enrichment Expert
Alex’s Role at Purina
Alex Johnson is a pet-centric design strategy lead at Purina, where she advances animal wellbeing through enrichment-centered design. She has over 20 years of experience creating environments, experiences and programs that positively influence behavior and strengthen the bond between pets and people—like HAPPi, Purina’s pet enrichment program available in the myPurina app.
Alex partners closely with animal behaviorists, psychologists, trainers and veterinarians to translate behavioral science into safe, practical and achievable enrichment strategies that promote choice, agency, movement and problem-solving for pets.
Notable Achievements
- Developed HAPPi, a pet enrichment program that helps pet parents engage in activities with their pets that strengthen emotional connection and support natural behaviors
- Engineered the first crash-test dog, now part of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- Collaborated internationally with zoos and animal welfare organizations on enrichment programs
Education
MS, Industrial Design, Animal Enrichment, Art Center College of Design
BS, Industrial Design, Royal Melbourne Institute of Design
Meet Alex’s Pets
Alex’s rambunctious rescue cats, Rajah and Bagheera, are a big source of inspiration in her life and work. They challenge her to care deeply, think harder, stay patient and savor the joyful moments.
Get to Know More Purina Pet Experts
From veterinarians to pet behaviorists, nutritionists and more, we have pet experts from every specialty on our roster. Meet more Purina experts, and see how they’re helping us push pet care forward.