Welcome to the Animal Behavior Institute! (ABI)

ABI was founded in 2004 by Dr. Gary Fortier and Dr. Janis Hammer in order to offer behavioral courses and training online. Our web based, interactive courses allow adult students to obtain professional quality instruction without travel, anywhere, at any time. The courses and programs offered through the Animal Behavior Institute provide individualized instruction, certification, and continuing education credits for animal professionals.

The Animal Behavior Institute is committed to providing every student with a personal education that goes beyond the confines of traditional academic curricula. We synthesize the fields of animal behavior, training, nutrition, veterinary care and environmental enrichment to provide our students with a truly comprehensive education. This approach strengthens the human-animal bond and promotes the highest levels of animal care and welfare.

Our educational philosophy is a response to the growing need to combine information across disciplines. We address all aspects of learning: intellectual, experiential and applied. Consequently, our students develop the knowledge and skill sets needed to succeed in a very competitive work environment. Through coursework, assignments and field experience they will learn to seek and evaluate relevant information, communicate effectively, collaborate in group projects, and become active problem solvers.