What’s in Your Toolbox? A Trainer’s Guide to Successful Communication
Beth Posta
Toledo Zoo
Animal training in zoos and aquariums has steadily progressed over the past decades. Today’s trainers and animal care takers are armed with a variety of resources that have been adapted to the changing times. Animal training requires a number of “tools”. In addition to a target pole and clicker a trainer the animal trainer must know its subject, understand and be able to apply the many training methods available, and be able to communicate with and “listen” to the animal. This 2-part workshop will focus on observational techniques necessary for high-quality animal training, as well as utilization of these and other training tools to improve our training of medical and husbandry behaviors utilizing small group work and activities.
Using Positive Reinforcement with Birds of Prey
Cathy Schlott
National Aviary
There is a growing movement toward using positive reinforcement methods with birds of prey. This workshop will use live birds to demonstrate the different techniques that the National Aviary has implemented when working with diverse species and their challenges. It will also highlight the benefits of positive reinforcement in three example scenarios.
Training 101
Ken Ramirez
John G Shedd Aquarium
Sheri Gitner
Western PA Humane Society
Lee Nesler
Western PA Humane Society
This multipart workshop will allow delegates to create their own training plans to increase adoptability for shelter pets, and put the plan into action with a variety of shelter animals at the Western PA Humane Society. Once the training sessions are complete a number of the groups will have an opportunity to address the delegates as if they were a co workers or clients describing how their behavior program should be duplicated to lead their pet toward success.
Tapping Resources: Bringing Marketing and Pubic Relations into your Training and Enrichment Team!
Gabrielle Boldazar, Michelle Farmerie, Connie George, Tracy Gray, Mark McDonough, Bob Snowdon
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Training and Enrichment are obvious and essential parts of animal programs; however, often there is limited time and resources to accomplish all of your training and enrichment goals. Teaming up with your Marketing/PR Department can strengthen your behavioral programs and add valuable members and resources to your team while also enhancing your institutions media relations and expanding visitor awareness. The Pittsburgh Zoo's Enrichment Committee will share their experiences and highlight the benefits of an inclusive enrichment/training team. This workshop will also demonstrate how an inclusive team can stimulate creativity and new ideas & special events, increase manpower and visitor attendance, generate additional revenue dollars, gain local and national media attention, enhance visitor education, increase enrichment opportunities for the animals and create, supplement, or underwrite enrichment budgets through new avenues of funding.
Animal Care’s Past, Present, and Future
Dr. Don Neiffer
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Dr. Karen Phillips
Western Pennsylvania Humane Society
Tim Sullivan
Brookfield Zoo
A deeper look at the theme of this years conference showcasing the improvements that the community has made throughout Zoological Medicine, Shelter Medicine and Behavior, and Zoological Behavior Management.
Complimentary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Doug Kneuven
We will begin with an overview of the basic principles and philosophy of Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine including a look at some of the confusing terminology. We will then turn our attention to some herbs and supplements that can be helpful when treating sick animals.
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Annual Conference 