February 8-13, 2010
Oglebay Resort
Wheeling, WV
The Meeting Your Institutional Mission With Program Animals professional training course is designed to expose students to the range of opportunities for program animal use and provide students with the knowledge to effectively develop and manage formalized programs utilizing animal ambassadors. By focusing on a range of methods, rather than teaching a single "recommended" approach, students will be better prepared to develop an approach that fits their institution's mission and philosophy.
Course Tuition
$850 for AZA Individual Members
$950 for Non-members
Course Registration
Download the Registration Form. Please note that you can use Adobe Acrobat Reader to type your responses directly into this form, print, and return by mail or fax. You may also print the form, write in your information and return by mail or fax. Each course has a registration form specific for that course.
Checks sent for course payment will be cashed immediately upon receipt as per standard business practices. Cashing your check does not indicate that you have been accepted into a course. You will receive an acceptance letter or wait list letter once acceptance decisions are made.
If you have any questions about your acceptance status, or for additional details please contact the AZA Professional Training Department or call (301) 562-0777.
Travel and Accommodations
Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will receive a confirmation letter containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted. For general information on travel and lodging, please see the Professional Training in Wheeling page.
Curious about the costs associated with this course?
The Meeting Your Institutional Mission With Program Animals Cost and Logistics page will help you estimate the total cost of attending, including registration, hotel, and ground transportation.
Course Scholarships
The following scholarship opportunities are currently available to aquarium and zoo professionals for the Meeting Your Institutional Mission With Program Animals professional training course.
Target Audience
Program animal managers and coordinators; education department curators that utilize program animals; program animal and interpretive keepers; museum professionals
Course Topics
- Philosophy of program animal use
- Opportunities for program animal use
- Developing an institutional program animal policy
- Local, state and federal regulations and guidelines
- Program animal collection planning
- Education messaging, interpretation and evaluation
- Human health and safety
- Animal health and nutrition
- Welfare
- Animal enrichment and training
- Staff training
- Formal program management
Course Schedule
Download the course schedule (subject to change)
Course Instructors
John Scott Foster, Ph.D.
New York State Zoo at Thompson Park
Alice Seyfreid
St. Louis Zoo
Jack Grisham
St. Louis Zoo
Luis Padilla, DVM
Smithsonian National Zoo’s Conservation and Research Center
Angi Millwood
Precision Behavior
Tarren Wagener
Fort Worth Zoo
What your collogues have been saying....
“I am happy that we had such enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructors and that we covered a wide variety of topics. Everything was wonderful! I’ve been to many AZA schools and I think this one was incredibly beneficial with so many practical applications.”
“I am happy that the course covered such a range of topics. Even things that don’t apply directly to me now will help me understand my role at my organization and help me in the future.”
“I am happy that I was able to meet and network with people from zoos all over the country, learn about the challenges they face compared to mine, and to also learn about all the ways to make my program animal program that best it can be.”
For additional details please contact the AZA Professional Training Department or call (301) 562-0777.