Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings

March 8-13, 2009 at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, FL
$700 for AZA Individual Members and $800 for Non-members [join AZA]

Registration

Until Friday, November 7, 2009, preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members. After November 7th applications will be processed in the order received.

Download the Registration Form (in PDF). 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.

Please Note:

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, please email us at .

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.

Make sure to schedule your travel to allow time for opening session, which will be at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 8th and a full day of classes ending at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13th.

Curious about the costs associated with this course?

The Cost and Logistics page (in PDF) will help you estimate the total cost of attending, including registration, hotel, and ground transportation.

Interested in a Scholarship to attend this course?

The following scholarship opportunities are currently available to aquarium and zoo professionals for the Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings.

Robert O. Wagner Professional Development Award

merit based award

Board of Regents Diversity Advancement Award

for

under represented individuals

Zoo Conservation Outreach Group Conservation Training Award

for colleagues from countries in Latin America and the
Caribbean Basin

International Conservation Training Award

for all foreign zoological colleagues

Course Credit

Not available at this time.

Objective

The purpose of this course is to provide zoo and aquarium staff involved in the daily care of animals with a background in training theory and an understanding of the skills necessary to train animals.

This 5-day course will include classroom time that provides a historical perspective of animal training (including the art and science of training), as well as terminology and an overview of training techniques. Classroom time will also focus on problem solving and communication skills as well as other program considerations. In addition to classroom time, selected training concepts and skills will be taught via animal demonstrations, group activities and individual skill development (i.e. actual animal training) opportunities. Students will have hands-on experience in training animals housed at the park such as rats, fish, bearded dragons or juvenile alligators.

Target Audience

The primary target audience will be animal keepers, aquarist, and other animal care staff from AZA institutions. Additional audiences include keepers and aquarist from non-AZA institutions and keepers/aquarist in a supervisory position. If space permits, Managers and Curators could also benefit from this course.

Course Topics

Introduction to Animal Training and Animal Welfare
Understanding an Animal's Natural and Individual Histories
Learning Theory and Concepts
How to Create a Training Plan
Understanding Motivation and Relationships with Animals
Communication and Partnerships
Working with Social Groups and Maintaining Behavior
Husbandry Training and Roadblocks
Safety
Reinforcement Strategies
Record Keeping
Problem Solving
Common Challenges and Hurdles
Animal Demonstrations/Group Activities

Course Schedule (subject to change)

Download the course schedule (in PDF).

Course Instructors

Marty MacPhee
Curator of Behavioral Husbandry
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Michelle Skurski
Zoological Manager of Behavioral Husbandry
Disney's Animal Kingdom

Ken Ramirez
Vice-President of Animal Collections and Animal Training
Shedd Aquarium

Steve Martin
President of Natural Encounters, Inc.

Emily Insalaco
Denver Zoo

Questions?