Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs

Students will understand the AZA accreditation standards related to animal welfare, enrichment and training. This includes:

• Understanding what to expect during an inspection

• The components of a successful program

• The documentation required for accreditation

• Definitions of commonly used terms

• The importance of considering natural history and the background of individual animals

• Basic concepts of enrichment and animal training

• Discussion of new ideas and trends relating to animal welfare, training, and enrichment

• The importance of goal setting, planning, implementation, documentation, evaluation, and readjustment

• Safety considerations for training and enrichment

• Problem-solving process for addressing behavior issues and animal management challenges

Students will understand the importance of leadership skills in developing a successful program and be able to demonstrate and apply those skills at their institution. These skills include:

• Feedback and coaching

• Meeting facilitation

• Team building

• Effective communication skills

First Day
 - Arrival on Saturday
 - Course activities, including student registration, begin after 4 PM
 - Opening evening reception
 - Courses meet for individual opening session/class

Mid-Week
- Class meets all day 

Last Day
- Class meets all day 
- Closing reception

Attendance for course participants is required for the duration of the course until late afternoon on the last day (typically by 4:00 PM but schedules are subject to change - students will receive scheduled times once admitted to the course).

Marty MacPhee, Guest Animal Experience Manager - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Beth Posta, Curator, Behavioral Husbandry - Toledo Zoo & Aquarium
Marcia Salverson, Assistant Curator of Primates - Denver Zoo
Lori Semple, Senior Aquarist - SEA LIFE Charlotte -Concord Aquarium

This course is designed for managers, curators, and directors that currently are or will be managing an enrichment program at their institution. Keepers, aquarists, trainers, and educators will find this course useful in implementing programs in their work areas.

Prerequisites
Employment at a zoo or aquarium. Priority will be given to AZA members, but volunteers and private animal trainers are welcome to attend. 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.

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

AZA Accredited / Certified Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: Deadline June 2, 2023
$1150 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1350 without Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline August 22, 2023
$1350 with Individual AZA Membership 
$1550 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 June 2, 2023.
$1350 with Individual AZA Membership

Regular Rate: Deadline August 22, 2023.
$1550 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

Air Travel

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is about 1 hour 5 minutes from the Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Wales (that estimate includes tolls). Tampa International Airport (TPA) is about 1 hour 15 minutes from the Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Wales (that estimate includes tolls).

Lodging

AZA has a room block for students at the Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Wales, located at 22900 Highway 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859. 

Nightly AZA Group Rate: $179

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