Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Meeting Your Institutional Mission With Program Animals

October 27-November 1, Wheeling, WV
$575 for AZA Individual Members and $675 for Non-members [join AZA]

Registration

Until June 27, 2008, preference for admission will be given to applicants who are AZA individual members. After June 27, 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. For general information on travel and lodging, please see the Professional Training in Wheeling page.

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.

Course Credit

Not available at this time

Objective

To expose students to the range of opportunities for program animal use and provide students with the knowledge to effectively develop and manage formalized programs utilizing animal ambassadors. By focusing on a range of methods, rather than teaching a single "recommended" approach, students will be better prepared to develop an approach that fits their institution's mission and philosophy.

Target Audience

Program animal managers and coordinators; education department curators that utilize program animals; program animal and interpretive keepers; museum professionals

Course Topics

Philosophy of program animal use
Opportunities for program animal use
Developing an institutional program animal policy
Local, state and federal regulations and guidelines
Program animal collection planning
Education messaging, interpretation and evaluation
Human health and safety
Animal health and zoonotic diseases
Welfare
Animal enrichment and training
Staff training
Leadership and team building

Course Schedule (subject to change)

Download the course schedule (in PDF).

Course Instructors

Jack Grisham
St. Louis Zoo

Angi Millwood
Ocean Embassy

Alice Seyfried
St. Louis Zoo

Tarren Wagener
Fort Worth Zoo

Roger Yerke
formerly Oregon Zoo

John Scott Foster
New York State Zoo at Thompson Park

What your colleagues have been saying

“I am happy that I met so many people doing the same job I am. I’ve learned lots of practical ideas pertaining to animal presentations. I couldn’t be happier!!”

“I learned so many practical applications that I can take home to my institution and implement ASAP!”

Questions?