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Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs
- October 27-November 1, Wheeling, WV
- $600 for AZA Individual Members and $700 for Non-members [join AZA]
Types of credit available
Registration
Registration for this course will open in January 2008. Please contact the if you would like an email reminder when registration opens.
Preference will be given to AZA individual members until June 27, 2008. A late fee will be assessed on all registrations received after September 26, 2008.
Registration is complete when AZA has received a completed registration form with a check or purchase order for the entire amount (registration and course credit if requested). We regret that we are unable to accept credit card payments at this time. No phone registrations will be accepted. If payment is not received by September 26, 2008, a $50 late fee will be assessed.
download the registration form (in PDF).
In order to receive a full refund (less a $50 processing fee), the must be notified by letter, fax or e-mail on or before September 26, 2008. Any student materials that were already received must be returned. If materials are not returned, refund will be reduced $100. If registration is cancelled after September 26 the full registration fee is forfeited. If a registrant does not attend (no-show), the full fee is forfeited. Substitutions may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Travel and Accommodations
Please wait until you are admitted to the course to make your reservations. You will also receive information about ground transportation.
Make sure to schedule your travel to allow time for the opening on the evening of 27th and a day of class on the 1st.
Objective
The 2005 AZA Accreditation Standards state that "a formal written enrichment program is recommended which promotes species-appropriate behavior opportunities for appropriate taxa–based on current information in behavioral biology and should include setting goals, planning/approval process, implementation, documentation, evaluation, and readjustment. It is recommended that a specific staff member or committee be assigned for program oversight." [AC-39, AC-40]
Towards that end, this course provides students with the skills to develop/enhance their institution's enrichment and training programs. Specifically, the goal of the course is to provide the leadership skills and structural framework needed to create and maintain successful enrichment and training programs, to understand the importance of an animal's natural and individual history in developing enrichment and training plans, and to examine the history of enrichment, training and animal welfare, as well as to provide critical terms and skills that will aid in communication about enrichment and training. Each student will be guided through the development of their own action plan aimed at moving their zoo or aquarium's enrichment and training programs forward.
Target Audience
Curators, line managers, and directors. This course is appropriate for education managers as well, especially those that utilize animals in demonstrations/shows. Keepers will find this course useful, but as designed, the course provides tools (e.g., a framework or process) for managers to create and sustain successful animal training and enrichment programs. Class size is limited to 25 participants.
Course Instructors
Cindy Anderson
Centers of Excellence Director
Walt Disney World
Chris Breder
Curator of Behavioral Husbandry
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Sue Margulis
Curator of Primates
Lincoln Park Zoo
Jill Mellen, Ph.D.
Science and Education Director
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Don Moore, Ph.D.
Director
Prospect Park Zoo
David Shepherdson, Ph.D.
Conservation and Science Coordinator
Oregon Zoo
Course Topics
Animal Enrichment and Training: History, Philosophy, and Theory
Participants will be introduced to a brief history of enrichment and training; critical terms that aid in communication about training and enrichment will be presented. The importance of understanding an animal's natural and individual history and how they relate to motivating behavior will be discussed. Enrichment and training (shaping) methods will be reviewed.
Framework or Process:
Key to Developing Successful Programs, Not Sporadic Events
The concept of a framework or process used to develop and sustain successful enrichment and training programs will be presented and discussed. Components of framework include goal-setting, planning, implementing, documenting, evaluating, and re-adjusting.
Animal Enrichment
Given the above framework, students will work through an example, developing an enrichment program for a specific group of animals housed in an AZA institution. A set of tools will be presented that will assist students in developing their own enrichment plans at their home institutions. Students will implement and assess some of the enrichment initiatives proposed during this exercise.
Animal Training
Given the above framework, students will work through an example, developing a training program for a specific group of animals housed in an AZA institution. A set of tools will be presented that will assist students in developing their own training plans at their home institutions. Students will observe implementation and assess some of the training initiatives proposed during this exercise.
Problem Solving and Action Planning
Most animal husbandry problems (e.g., animal won't shift) represent complex issues. Solutions to these problems may be complex (the animal may not shift because it's fearful of some aspect of the barn, may "prefer" to stay on exhibit because it's more interesting, may be coming into estrus, etc.). Students will learn about and practice problem-solving/ action planning techniques that can be used at their home institutions with their staff to solve and develop action plans for these and other husbandry issues.
Leadership Skills
Many zoo and aquarium managers experience a mixed response from their staff in response to proposals for implementing enrichment and training (as well as a multitude of other issues). Students will discuss and practice team-building, conflict resolution, coaching, and facilitation skills. Students will discuss building relationships with their staff and how to get "buy-in" for their programs.
Train the Trainer
The "trainer" here is the student. Students will learn how to teach these concepts to a cross-section of staff at their home institutions including dealing with curmudgeons (resistance to change).
Sample Course Schedule
(subject to change for 2008)
Course includes day classes and evening discussions and workshops until 9 p.m.
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