November 2022
This course is designed for ambassador animal coordinators and managers; education staff who utilize animal ambassadors within their programs; ambassador animal and interpretive keepers; and museum professionals who handle live animals.
Course Objectives
Participants will come away with a battery of information on all aspects of managing anmbassador animal collection including:
- Creating an ambassador animal policy for your institution
- Training staff and volunteers to handle animals
- Creating an Ambassador Animal Collection Plan
- Creating and utilize Training Plans
- Creating and utilize Training Logs
- Creating and utilize Animal Training Progress Forms
- Creating an Ambassador Animal Enrichment Program
- Creating and utilize enrichment forms
- Recording and tracking ambassador animal enrichment
- Interfacing between departments
- Tracking ambassador animal use hours and how to manage
- Managing and developing staff
- Interpretation
- Volunteer management
- Principles of operant conditioning
- Program animal health management
Instructors
Debra Swank, Training and Trends Coordinator - Akron Zoological Park
Jacqueline Menish, Curator of Behavioral Husbandry - Nashville Zoo, Inc.
Jimmy Johnson, Staff Veterinarian - St. Louis Zoo
Nicki Boyd, Associate Curator of Behavioral Husbandry - San Diego Zoo
Is This Course Right for You?
This course is designed for ambassador animal coordinators and managers; education staff who utilize animal ambassadors within their programs; ambassador animal and interpretive keepers; and museum professionals who handle live animals.
Prerequisites
None. Priority will be given to individuals associated with AZA accredited institutions. International applicants and 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.
Course Registration & Travel
Travel and Accommodations
Lambert Saint Louis International Airport (STL) is the closest airport.The hotel provides free airport shuttle service and is also accessible via MetroLink.
Course participants stay at Clayton Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri and classes meet on-site.
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.
Tuition & Expenses*
Please note, these rates are higher than other course offerings because they include course registration, as well as breakfasts, lunches, break service, and two dinners during the course. The hotel rate in St. Louis will be ~$110 plus taxes per room per night, with no surcharge for double occupancy. The overall resulting cost to participants will be similar compared to other less-inclusive courses.
Scholarship funding for courses is available through a competitive process. AZA scholarship applications are due by mid-July and are awarded by early September.
AZA Accredited / Certified Institutions*
Early Bird Rate: 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1125 with Individual AZA Membership
$1325 without Qualifying Individual Membership
Regular Rate: 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1325 with Individual AZA Membership
$1525 without Qualifying Individual Membership
Individual Membership must be Professional Affiliate or Professional Fellow to qualify.
Individuals Not Employed at an AZA-accredited or Certified Insitution*
Early Bird Rate: 12 weeks prior to course start date
$1325 with Professional Associate Membership
Regular Rate: 4 weeks prior to course start date
$1525 with Professional Associate Membership
Individual Membership Requirement
Staff from non-AZA accredited institutions must have an individual AZA membership to apply and register for an AZA course.
*Prices are subject to change
For information regarding our registration and refund policies, please visit our Professional Development Course Policies page.