This month the Animal Behavior Institute is delighted to announce the launching of our new program in Exotic Animal Management. This certificate is ideal for students that are preparing for a career working with wildlife, or for professionals in zookeeping or related fields that want to continue their education. Many of our courses fulfill professional CEU requirements and can be taken to complement degrees in other fields such as biology, zoology, wildlife management or animal science.
The program consists of five related courses including Exotic Animal Conservation and Management, Husbandry and Recordkeeping, Animal Nutrition, Health & Disease, Environmental Education and either Animal Training or Animal Enrichment. The curriculum provides a comprehensive education to help you initiate your career or further your advancement. For more information, visit the full program description online .
Welcome Jenny Campbell! Our new Exotic Animal Management program is being launched with the help of our newest faculty member, Dr. Jenny Campbell. Jenny was formerly with North Carolina State University and the Duke University Primate Center. She also worked as an Assistant Director developing a BS program in Zoo Science before coming to ABI. Her broad background, coupled with a doctorate in primate nutrition, will allow her to contribute to many courses at ABI. You can read more on her background under our staff and faculty pages.
AAA/T Etiquette
We know Animal Assisted Activity and Therapy programs bring joy and improve the quality of life for the ill or infirmed, such as those in nursing homes and hospitals. In the excitement of working with our animals in AAA/T, we sometimes forget to think about the needs and desires of those we wish to help. Alternatively, newcomers to AAA/T may not know how to go about interacting with clients. Below is a list of “etiquette” points for the animal/handler team to help ensure a positive interaction for both the provider and the client!
Always wear a smile! Smiles are contagious and put people at ease.
When visiting a client in their room, always knock first and announce yourself, even if the door is open. Their room is their home and we must respect their privacy.
Don’t assume everyone wants to visit with you and your pet. Some people are afraid of animals, don’t like animals, or are just not interested. That's OK! If someone is not interested, ask him or her if you should stop by another time and move on.
Use your animal as the starting point for a conversation. You can start the conversation with a question such as, “Have you ever had a dog?” or “What sort of pets did you have growing up?”. A question about the pets they have had allows the client to reminisce and participate in the conversation.
Once a conversation is started, ask them if they would like to touch your pet. Ask if they need assistance. If assistance is needed, it should be done very gently. They may want to touch your pet or they may just enjoy looking at it and talking to you.
Remember, if you ask someone how they are doing, you may get a litany of complaints and problems. It may be best to change your approach and tell them how good they look or that you like the color of their shirt/sweater/blouse.
Also, if the client asks you how you are, don’t give them a list of your problems! You are there to brighten their day.
When talking to someone in a wheelchair or sitting down, get down on their level. Sit in a chair or kneel so you are at eye level. It shows respect for the other person and prevents neck strain.
Obey all signs! If a door says do not enter, don’t go in without talking to the floor supervisor.
Don’t forget about hand washing at the end of the visit! Help the client apply some waterless hand cleanser before you leave them. Make sure what you are using is approved by the facility. They may provide it for you.
The list is not inclusive but is a good start to successfully participating in AAA/T. If at any time you have any questions about a person you are visiting or are not sure of something don’t hesitate to ask the floor supervisor. We want to make sure everyone has a safe and pleasant encounter.
Ask the Trainer: Rollerblading Woes
Q: Kimo, my adult Siberian husky, is terrified of rollerbladers. Whenever we walk in the park, she'll cringe if one approaches. Once a skater gets within 20 feet she becomes panicky, cries, and tries to dash away.
A: Kimo may simply be frightened of skaters because they are large, unfamiliar, fast moving objects - and fit the mold of potential predators or competitors. Since we know her limit, we could start by reinforcing her for sitting outside the panic zone, say at 25-30 feet from a visible skater. We can gradually decrease the distance and reinforce the calm response (sitting or other behaviors incompatible with fleeing). When the distance is minimal, try to set up an interaction with a friend that rollerblades - ask them to gently toss highly preferred food treats to Kimo when they approach if she is receptive.
Note: This problem was brought up and resolved by students in one of our recent classes at ABI.
Our new Exotic Animal Management program is being launched with the help of our newest faculty member, Dr. Jenny Campbell. Jenny was formerly with North Carolina State University and the Duke University Primate Center. She also worked as an Assistant Director developing a BS program in Zoo Science before coming to ABI. Her broad background, coupled with a doctorate in primate nutrition, will allow her to contribute to many courses at ABI. You can read more on her background under our staff and faculty pages. 
Always wear a smile! Smiles are contagious and put people at ease.
A: