How Conscious Companion Began
After life chapters filled with endless animal adventures, challenges, and lessons, Amy was inspired to share her expertise and unique insights with others who were outside of the animal conservation community. Amy created Conscious Companion™ to provide pets and their people with conditions that captive endangered species benefited from every day: Holistic Care, Choice-Based Training, and Compassion.
But that was just the beginning. Conscious Companion has become more than we could have hoped for.
But that was just the beginning. Conscious Companion has become more than we could have hoped for.
History is filled with stories. This is "Herstory".
Amy graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management in 1999. Throughout her extensive professional career, she has worked and taught at a variety of facilities, including LSU’s Veterinary School, George Mason University, The Humane Society of the United States, veterinary clinics, pet resorts, nature centers, and a highly accredited zoo and aquarium. Amy has mentored people of all ages and backgrounds, many with a variety of physical, mental, and societal challenges. Her work has always been focused on teaching others how to implement force-free (choice-based) training, while enhancing the human-animal bond.
Amy studied wildlife management, conservation, animal welfare, applied behavior analysis, animal husbandry, animal enrichment, animal communication, and ethology for over 20 years. Amy worked at one of the Association of Zoo’s and Aquarium’s (AZA) top ranking facilities - The Audubon Nature Institute. She had the privilege of learning from some of the world's leading animal trainers, such as Ken Ramirez, and Steve Martin of Natural Encounters, both of whom are pioneers in the fields of 100% force-free animal training, humane husbandry, and species-specific enrichment.
Just a few hats that Amy wore at Audubon Nature Institute included Visitor Programming Coordinator, Children’s Zoo’s Discovery Walk Supervisor, Volunteer Coordinator, ZOOmobile Coordinator, Education Outreach Manager, Animal Enrichment Coordinator, Lead Animal Trainer for the Education Department, and Institutional Representative for various critically endangered Species Survival Plans (SSP). Amy also held offices as the secretary, vice president, and president of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).
Amy’s wide range of expertise stems from her extensive working knowledge of animal husbandry, animal enrichment, safe animal handling techniques, behavior modification, species-specific ethology, professional ethics, public education, public outreach, and public programming. She has extensive experience with energy healing, animal communication, and animal holistic healing arts. Amy is also an expert in the area of hurricane and emergency planning and preparation for humans and animals. Amy has received multiple certifications from AZA's Professional Development Certificate Program. Through public outreach, zoo education programs, and captive animal management and endangered species breeding programs, Amy was fortunate to work closely with a wide variety of species, to include Felis and Panthera (exotic cats), corvids (crows), psittacines (parrots), birds of prey (raptors), reptiles, marsupials, bears, giraffes, venomous species, insects, small mammals, primates, hoof stock, elephants, crocodilians, Komodo dragons, Giant tortoises, African wildcat clones, and dozens of other SSP animals - just to name a few!
A Gallery of Some of Amy's Greatest Teachers
Every being has either something to learn or to teach. May we have the courage and humility to be both teacher and student. And may we be able to discern when to be each. - Amy C. Martin
Amy’s career has always focused on demonstrating respect for all species. Whether it was a caterpillar or Komodo Dragon, Amy’s passion was teaching compassion. Through educating people about the positive impacts of force-free -training, the power of species-specific enrichment, and the importance of bridging the gap between species, Amy saw first-hand, the far-reaching effects of compassionate education.
From the World of Wildlife to Worlds Within!
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As Amy became a woman in the world, she began to explore the science of species. After studying animal welfare, applied behavior analysis, animal training, animal husbandry, ethology, and animal enrichment for nearly 20 years, Amy experienced the “A to Z of stress” that comes with living and working with exotic and domestic animals. This is why Amy is empathetic to families and facilities who experience behavioral or medical challenges with their animal companions.
As Amy became a woman in the world, she began to explore the science of species. After studying animal welfare, applied behavior analysis, animal training, animal husbandry, ethology, and animal enrichment for nearly 20 years, Amy experienced the “A to Z of stress” that comes with living and working with exotic and domestic animals. This is why Amy is empathetic to families and facilities who experience behavioral or medical challenges with their animal companions.
The "conditions of captivity" are one reason Amy created Conscious Companion.
Did you know...?
There are 3 main types of behavioral issues that both exotic and many companion animals experience:
But beyond the borders of training and enrichment is another world that affects everyone: energy.
This is why patience, compassion, and kindness for all creatures is at the heart of all of Conscious Companion's services.
Did you know...?
There are 3 main types of behavioral issues that both exotic and many companion animals experience:
- Instinctual or natural behaviors that become problems for the people who care for them
- Unintentionally trained behaviors
- Problems caused by the ‘Conditions of Captivity’.
But beyond the borders of training and enrichment is another world that affects everyone: energy.
This is why patience, compassion, and kindness for all creatures is at the heart of all of Conscious Companion's services.
Amy is the owner, founder, and chief operator of Conscious Companion™. She is on the advisory board for Family Paws Parent Education and she is a licensed presenter of the Dogs & Storks® and the Dogs & Toddlers™ programs. Amy serves as a core member of the Pet Professional Guild's Cat Committee, and is a Doggone Safe presenter. Amy also serves on the board of advisers for the Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary.
Amy's professional research has been published in a variety of professional fora. Some of her published works include Target Training and Voluntary Blood Drawing of the Aldabra Tortoise, What's in a Purr?, Whisker Stress, An Analysis of the Post-release Success of Captive-bred Louisiana Pine Snakes, and Stimulate Your Psittacine! -Transforming a Parrot’s Life in Captivity through Enrichment.
Amy received the AAZK’s National Certificate of Excellence for two of these papers. She is a contributing author for various pet education publications including, BARKS, Petcha, 4Knines, and Love to Know.
Amy received the AAZK’s National Certificate of Excellence for two of these papers. She is a contributing author for various pet education publications including, BARKS, Petcha, 4Knines, and Love to Know.
She and her family live on one of the smaller Japanese islands. While living on Okinawa, Amy still maintains a global consulting practice. When she is not consulting with clients, creating art, or providing workshops for military and Okinawan children in their community, she and her husband volunteer for The Make A Wish Foundation as Wish Granters. They have been doing this important service work for well over a decade. Amy also enjoys teaching wetland and watershed classes in the field with middle school students, helping to restore local beaches and nature preserves. Between creating one-of-a-kind creations, consulting, and managing the global "Lighting Up The Darkness" project, Amy's current primary focus is on creating the Rainbow of Black Book Series!
“You can't do passion halfway. Living your passion means you're all in. You trust your heart and trust your gut wherever that takes you.” ― Joe Plumeri
None of this could be possible if it weren't for their amazing animal companions! These beautiful beings are their soul tribe. Through their powerful presence, each one of these companion animals have taught incredible life lessons to countless souls all over the world. This is why Amy and her team are creating a thrilling trilogy! They are so excited and inspired to share everything they've learned through all of their furry, feathered, and scaly, incredibly amazing adventures over so many decades!
Conscious Companion is a professional and compassionate supportive resource for your family. We provide fun, force-free animal behavior consulting to families worldwide. We offer in-depth, holistic services for both you and your animal family members.
Amy believes that learning is never finished as long as you are still alive! She continues her animal behavior education and holistic and alternative therapies through professional conferences and ongoing certifications. Amy is known all over the world for her empathy, generosity, intuitive art, and life-changing experiences that deeply touch and transform countless lives.
Amy is a active member of:
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Conscious Companion ✧ Falls Church, VA ✧ 22044