Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management

After completing this course participants will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the science of animal welfare

• Demonstrate knowledge of the AZA animal welfare requirements

• Develop the skills and knowledge to assess the welfare of individual and groups of animals

• Demonstrate ability to improve welfare programs by incorporating the latest in animal welfare research

• Develop leadership skills and strategies to implement an evidence-based animal welfare management program

First Day
 - Student registration
 - Opening evening ceremony
 - Courses meet for individual opening session/class

Mid-Week
- Classes meet all-day

Last Day
- Classes meet
- Closing Ceremony

Attendance is required for course participants for the duration of the course until the evening of the last day. As a result, individuals generally depart the following day. Attendees will receive a detailed schedule for their course after their registration is confirmed.

Sharon Joseph, Professional Consultant - Birmingham Zoo
Jill Mellen, Ph.D., Education and Science Director - Disney's Animal Kingdom (Retired)
Lance Miller, Ph.D., VP of Conservation Science and Animal Welfare Research - Chicago Zoological Society - Brookfield Zoo
Beth Posta, Curator, Behavioral Husbandry - Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
 

This course is designed for management-level animal care professionals (lead keeper, supervisor, manager, and curator) at AZA-accredited institutions. Other care professionals at AZA institutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis if space allows. Students enrolling in this course will benefit from having a basic understanding of animal enrichment and training theory and practice.

Prerequisites
None. Priority will be given to individuals associated with AZA accredited institutions. Those not affiliated with an AZA accredited institution will be considered on a case-by-case basis; please submit a letter describing your intended benefit from taking this course to azatraining@aza.org for consideration.

Air Travel
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is about 21 minutes from the Zoo. This course takes place at the Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL. Course participants stay at the designated hotel and a shuttle will transport participants to and from the Zoo daily.

Hotel
Hotel information will be available soon.

Please wait until you are admitted into the course before making your reservations. You will reserve an email containing detailed information regarding your accommodations and transportation once you are admitted.

Registration for this course is open!

The registration fees below cover tuition and lunches for each day of the course. Other expenses include hotel, travel, and other meals. Registration prices are subject to change each year. 

AZA Accredited / Certified Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1200 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1400 without Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1400 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1600 without Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution.
Individual Membership must be Professional Affiliate or Professional Fellow to qualify.

Non-AZA Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1400 with Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1600 with Individual AZA Membership

*This pricing is for anyone who is not currently employed at an AZA accredited/certified institution.
Individual Membership must be Professional Associate to qualify.

Registration prices are subject to change.

For information regarding our registration and refund policies, please visit our Professional Development Course Policies page. Accepted forms of payment for registration are by credit card, check, or purchase order. 

To register with a credit card
You may now register and pay online with a credit card. After logging in, choose "Professional Development" from the menu on the left. Next, click on the title of the event for which you would like to register. Finally, choose "Event Registration" from the options at the top and complete the registration process. You will receive an acceptance email or waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. 

To register with a check or purchase order
Please email your request to register, specifying the course and the name of whom you would like to register, to the Professional Development Coordinator.
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 email or a waitlist email once acceptance decisions are made. If you are not admitted into the course from the waitlist, a full refund will be promptly issued.

*Prices are subject to change