Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs

Please note: This course was held in October 27-November 1, 2008 in Wheeling, WV. This course will not be offered in 2009.

Objective

The 2008 edition of the Accreditation Standards and Related Policies states that an AZA accredited institution “must have a formal written enrichment program that promotes species-appropriate behavioral opportunities. It is recommended that an enrichment program be based on current information in biology, and should include the following elements: goal-setting, planning and approval process, implementation, documentation/ record-keeping, evaluation, and subsequent program refinement.” This document further states that “the institution must have a specific staff member(s) or committee assigned for enrichment program oversight, implementation, training, and interdepartmental coordination of enrichment efforts.”

Towards that end, this course provides students with the leadership skills to enhance their institution’s Enrichment and Training Programs. Specifically, the goals of the course are to:

Provide the leadership skills and structural framework needed to create and maintain successful enrichment and training programs,
Describe and discuss how enrichment and training programs enhance the welfare of the animals under our care,
Understand the importance of an animal’s natural and individual history in developing enrichment and training plans,
Examine the history of enrichment, training, and animal welfare, and,
Provide critical terms and skills that aid in communication about enrichment and training.

Target Audience

Audience is curators, line managers, keepers, and directors. This course also is appropriate for education managers, especially those that utilize animals in demonstrations/ shows. The course provides tools (e.g., a framework or process) for managing animal training and enrichment programs. The focus is on the leadership and process skills used in developing and maintaining enrichment and training programs. This course does not focus directly on the design of specific enrichment initiatives or on how to train animals. For students interested in developing and enhancing animal training skills, please consider enrolling in the AZA course, Animal Training Applications in Zoos and Aquariums.

Course Topics

Leadership skills and structural framework needed to create and maintain successful enrichment and training programs

Facilitate effective meeting skills – drawing people out
Problem solving model
Consulting – asking questions/listening (e.g., listening skills)
Relationship Building skills
Cultural change tailor your approach based on your institution
Accountability
Providing effective coaching and feedback
Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator as a service provider, internal consultant – what skills are necessary for success?
Change Management (e.g., gaining buy in)

History and concepts of enrichment, training, and welfare of the animals

Overview of enrichment, training, welfare
Foundational knowledge, skills, credibility
What is an enrichment and training professional? (e.g., What knowledge and skills are needed?)

Articulate, Develop, Implement, Evaluate Institution (Strategic) Enrichment and Training Program

Create a checklist to help prepare enrichment/training plan for your institution
Formal written program (AZA Accreditation Requirement)
Approval process, including safety / risk management (i.e., safe for animals, safe for staff, safe for public)
Planning (prioritization – which species/individual do you focus on first and why, budget, labor)
Institutional Goal Setting process – how, as an institution are we going to set goals?
Program evaluation
Managing expectations – What are effective ‘baby steps’?
Process and tools for each checklist item
How do you assess success of your program over time?

SPIDER – Process for developing enrichment and training plans for animals at your institution

Setting goals, planning, implementing, documenting, evaluating, readjusting enrichment and training plans for animals
Importance of natural history and individual history
Risk Management for a species
How to create a training plan, reviewing and approving training plans
SAFETY (e.g., how to communicate a safety concern, the process to prepare your staff to enrich and / or train safely)

Course Schedule (subject to change)

Download the course schedule (in PDF).

What your colleagues have been saying

“I cannot tell you how much this course has helped me for my potential future as well as in self-growth. The passion of the instructors was phenomenal and inspiring.”

“The many opportunities to actually practice the action planning for both enrichment and training programs was very valuable and helped me to gain confidence.”