We are pleased to announce a variety of featured speakers at the annual conference!
Sabrina Brando www.animalconcepts.eu
Sabrina Brando started her work with animals 22 years ago at the Amsterdam Zoo as a volunteer. Since then she has worked in many marine parks, zoos, research institutes, wildlife parks and in eco-tourism, with a large variety of animal species in Europe, the USA, Africa, Australia, South-America and Asia.
Since 2008 she works full-time through AnimalConcepts as a consultant in animal care, welfare and rights, working in zoos, marine parks, animal shelters, government facilities, research laboratories and wildlife sanctuaries worldwide. Species ranging from rabbits, mice and birds to bears, snakes, crocodiles, dolphins and gorillas.
Sabrina has a BSc. in psychology (cum laude) and animal behaviour. She is currently enrolled in a MSc. of Psychology and a MSc. in Animal Studies. Sabrina is involved in several research projects on animal advocacy, welfare and behaviour. She also teaches workshops on care, welfare, enrichment, exhibit design, training and behaviour, the human-animal bond, animal learning and many other animal related topics for animal care staff, veterinarians, curators, students and managers as well as working with large teams as a consultant for multiple zoos, research facilities and universities worldwide.
Sabrina teaches as a guest lecturer on the MRes in Marine Mammal Science at the St. Andrews University in Scotland and teaches on the marine mammal summer course at the Húsavík Research Center at the University of Iceland. Through the IAT UK she teaches CPD courses on animal welfare and enrichment for laboratory animals.
Sabrina has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed scientific publication as well as book chapters, presented extensively and has been an invited- and keynote speaker at animal welfare and advocacy conferences worldwide. She is a reviewer for the journals Aquatic Mammals and Animal Welfare.
Sabrina volunteers for PASA (www.pasaprimates.org), traveling to Africa to work with great ape sanctuaries and reintroduction programs, as well as other animal welfare and wildlife voluntary work worldwide. She also travels to other countries world-wide to volunteer in conservation and animal welfare programs.
Dr. Susan Friedman www.behaviorworks.org
Dr. Susan Friedman is a psychology professor at Utah State University who has pioneered the application of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to captive and companion animals. ABA, with its roots in human learning, offers a scientifically sound teaching technology and ethical standard that can improve the lives of all learners.
Students from 32 different countries have participated in Susan's online courses, Living and Learning with Animals for Professionals and Living and Learning with Parrots for Caregivers. She has written chapters on learning and behavior for three veterinary texts (Behavior of Exotic Pets, Clinical Avian Medicine, and Manual of Parrot Behavior), and is a frequent contributor to popular magazines. Her articles appear around the world in twelve languages. Susan has presented seminars for a wide variety of professional organizations around the world such as the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training and Management program, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
She has been nominated for the Media Award given by the International Association of Behavior Analysis for her efforts to disseminate to pet owners, veterinarians, animal trainers and zookeepers the essential tools they need to empower and enrich the lives of the animals in their care.
Barbara Heidenreich www.BarbarasFFAT.com
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 UC 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 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 (www.IAATE.org) 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 zithromax animals, trained staff, lectured and/or presented shows at over 40 facilities around the world. (See list here)
Barbara has been a featured speaker on animal training in over twenty countries and has been published in nine languages. Barbara teaches learning theory as described by the science of behavior analysis. She is also passionate about teaching excellent animal training practical application skills. Barbara is thrilled to have had the opportunity to train thousands of animals, from rats to rhinos. This experience makes Barbara’s expertise truly unmatched. This hands-on practice with so many different individual animals has been invaluable to helping her provide caregivers the tools they need to solve behavior problems and have a great relationship with the animals in their lives based on trust. Her goal is to leave behind a legacy of kindness to animals by sharing her expertise.
Steve Martin www.naturalencounters.com
One of the best-known trainers in the world, Steve Martin has pioneered the art of training a variety of birds and animals through positive reinforcement. He is has been a master falconer for over 40 years and a parrot trainer for more than 45.
Steve's training experience includes hundreds of species of birds and mammals. He is a Trustee with the World Parrot Trust, a Core Team Member of The California Condor Recovery Team and has served as a behavior consultant for the Hawaiian Crow and Hawaiian Hawk conservation projects. He is also the founder of IAATE (International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators) and has served as its President four different times. Steve spends approximately three quarters of every year traveling to zoological facilities around the world serving as a behavior consultant. He has now worked at over 60 zoological facilities in 14 different countries. Steve has been certified as a professional bird trainer (CPBT-KA) by the International Avian Trainers Certification Board.
Steve is known for his commitment to conservation and education. Each year his company donates close to $100,000 to conservation projects, each show he produces has a strong conservation education message, and Earth Day is an official holiday at his company.
Dr. Jennifer Zeligs www.animaltraining.us
Jenifer A. Zeligs, Ph.D. is the owner of Animal Training and Research International which oversees a small teaching aquarium at California State University. She is the author of numerous articles and award winning presentations on animal behavior modification and its uses including her newly published book, Animal Training 101: The complete and practical guide to the art and science of behavior modification.
Dr. Zeligs has been working with animals since she got her start at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C. while still in grade school. In that time, she has trained dozens of species of terrestrial and aquatic animals. She has also worked as a training consultant with exotic and domestic animals, as a veterinary technician, and with domestic and exotic animals trained to assist the handicapped. She has collaborated with and consulted for countless private and public facilities and organizations, and has trained animals for research, free release in the open-ocean, feature films and documentaries, public display and veterinary purposes. Dr. Zeligs has been featured in dozens of documentaries and television shows including National Geographic Explorer, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Dateline, NBC.
Of all of her pursuits, Jenifer is most proud of her students, and finds the greatest joy in teaching and working with those passionate about their interests in conservation, animal care and training. Jenifer’s students now work with and mange a wide range of animal programs throughout the world. Jenifer currently teaches at California State University, Monterey Bay and mentors students from all over the world in cutting-edge animal behavior and husbandry.
*Dr. Zeligs is kindly offering a special ABMA price on her book- a $35% dicount! Order online until May 2015 at www.animaltraining101.com/buy-the-book/. Use coupon code "ABMA35" at checkout to receive the special price. If you're coming to the conference you can buy the book at the special price but without shipping fees and get it signed!