Positive Reinforcement Training

AE is a true pioneer in demonstrating and promoting the use of positive reinforcement training techniques to improve the care and welfare of captive animals. We led the way in the use of training to gain animals’ voluntary cooperation in husbandry behaviors and medical procedures, to enhance their social behavior, and to improve their physical and psychological well-being. Training is both art and science. Guiding staff through a step-by-step process of building the skills needed to be an effective trainer is what we have always done best. We speak from experience gained over decades working with just about any species you’d find in a zoo, rescue center, or sanctuary.

Protected Contact Elephant Management

AE developed protected contact (PC) to be a fully functional elephant management system, with 2 primary objectives: animal welfare and human safety. Our final product achieved both. Because of that, the world has embraced PC. We have assisted many many facilities throughout the world in converting their traditional elephant management programs to PC, to the benefit of animals and people. We provided practical low-cost solutions for facility modifications required to implement PC.

Behavioral Management Program Development

Behavioral management is a systematic approach to providing optimal animal care and welfare. It is pro-active, holistic, and incorporates four major processes:

1) Positive reinforcement training.
2) Enrichment
3) Problem solving
4) Assessment

Since we introduced this concept to the animal community, we have assisted many facilities in developing and implementing a behavioral management program specifically designed for their animal population and staff needs.

Enrichment

Enrichment is a highly effective tool in addressing three aspects of welfare: mental health, behavioral health, and physical health and fitness. It doesn’t require a set of advanced skills to do enrichment well, but just like training, enrichment should be purposeful and designed and implemented for a specific goal. The more formal and comprehensive the program, the greater the benefits for all animals. Working with Valerie at Shape of Enrichment promoting regular and effective enrichment for all species and all individuals, was truly a joy.

Problem Solving

As concerned trainers and caregivers, you need the ability to face a problem head on, understand it thoroughly, choose the most appropriate and effective methods to address it, and implement those strategies to achieve the best possible outcome for the animal. The good news is that our papers and new book provide an organized, step-by-step process to do exactly that.

Animal In Research

AE led the way in the application of positive reinforcement training techniques to improve the care and welfare of primates, dogs, and other research animals. Recognizing the unique needs of these animals, we have helped research, centers, pharmaceutical companies, and laboratories to improve the lives of countless animals through the application of positive reinforcement training to reduce stress and to gain the animals’ voluntary cooperation in events ranging from daily husbandry and veterinary treatments to research procedures.