ABMA 2018
Special Presentations and Advanced Training Abstracts
|
From Shelter to Service Dog: The Positive Reinforcement Journey For the past 30 years’ we at Service Dogs, Inc. a non-profit organization have been training Hearing Dogs and Service Dogs to assist adult Texans with disabilities. We adopt most of our dogs from animal shelters and rescues. Utilizing positive reinforcement, we train the dogs, pair them with their new partners and then train them as teams – all free of charge to the recipients. What does it take for a shelter or rescue dog to be selected as a service dog candidate? With thousands of shelter dogs to evaluate, why do only a select few make the program? What are our first impressions in a shelter environment? We’re home, what’s next? What techniques are in store for a positive training future? What about the client? And, finally, the team Service Dogs, Inc has from its beginnings trained on a foundation of trust and relationship between the handler and the dog. We establish successful teams by building strong relationships, establishing clear communication and teaching through positive reinforcement. A shelter dog’s positive journey from stray to star.
|
|
Advanced Concepts in Animal Training and their
Practical Application In 1982 Barbara Heidenreich secured her first job working with animals in a veterinary hospital. After exploring different animal related jobs and receiving her degree in Zoology from the University of California at Davis in 1990, Barbara started her career as an animal trainer in a zoological park. She has been a professional trainer ever since. Barbara provides consulting services to zoos, nature centers, universities and other animal facilities. She lectures regularly to the veterinary community and is an adjunct clinical instructor at Texas A & M University, Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences. Barbara is a former president of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators and served on the Board of Directors from 1997-2009. She volunteers her expertise to support conservation projects, The Kakapo Recovery Program and the Bird Endowment. In her career she has trained animals, trained staff, lectured and/or presented shows at over 60 facilities around the world. |
|
Training 101 Panel
|
|
Least Reinforcing Schedule (LRS)
This session shows the benefit of attending a conference. It was not scheduled or on the program in anyway. It was something the delegates wanted and the speakers were generous enough to host. Thank you to those speakers and organizers who gave up their valuable time to bring this session to the ABMA conference. |