Workshop Abstracts

Tim Sullivan

Chicago Zoological Society /
​Brookfield Zoo


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LOST IN TRANSLATION? - UNDERSTANDING TRAINING TERMINOLOGY

Most trades have their own specific language or jargon that allows these professionals to effectively and efficiently communicate with one another. The field of animal training is based on scientific principles and is a technology. Technical training terms help experienced trainers communicate within the industry but these same terms can be daunting to the beginner. It is critical that novice trainers learn this new language to ensure that they can continue to develop their understanding of this field and effectively communicate with their peers.
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This workshop will provide the participants with a working understanding of the most important animal training terms. The instructor will use clear, universally understood examples to describe the concepts that are the foundation of our profession.

Heidi Hellmuth

Smithsonian’s National Zoo


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“WHY” BEFORE “WHAT” –
​SHIFTING TOWARDS GOAL- BASED ENRICHMENT

This will be an interactive workshop about beginning a paradigm shift to a goal-based approach to enrichment. Phase one involves a PowerPoint presentation about setting up a formal enrichment program, based on the SPIDER model. Phase two involves delegates splitting up into groups to do an exercise involving coming up with a wide array of goal-based enrichment strategies. In phase three each group will present some highlights of their work. All of the ideas generated during the workshop, and possibly during other activities held throughout the conference, will be compiled and published in the conference proceedings.