Professional Published Papers & Conference Presentations
"Target Training and Voluntary Blood Drawing of the Aldabra Tortoise (Geochelone gigantea)"
Managing giant tortoises can often be quite challenging due to their enormous size and their evasive and varying temperaments. Training can be an extremely useful tool when the need arises to shift an individual animal or an entire herd of tortoises to various locations in or out of their enclosures.
Training can also be very advantageous when performing routine health screenings or treating animals in emergency situations. Without formal training these giant but gentle tortoises can become easily stressed,
injured or often flee from staff when basic husbandry, medical or emergency procedures need to be performed.
My paper details the development and implementation of training 2.2 Aldabra tortoises (Geochelone gigantea) at the Audubon Zoo. The benefits of target training and desensitizing Aldabra tortoises for voluntary blood collection and voluntary shifting them on and off-exhibit heavily outweigh the alternative methods of manual restraint and physical coercion. We were the first in the world to accomplish this. Not only do the Aldabra tortoises benefit from the training, but Audubon Zoo’s veterinary and keeper staff now have a more efficient, less stressful way to impact the husbandry and medical aspects of these giant, gentle creatures. Now zoos all over the world are using these techniques to manage their reptiles with respect and kindness.
You can read my published paper here.
You can view my presentation here.
injured or often flee from staff when basic husbandry, medical or emergency procedures need to be performed.
My paper details the development and implementation of training 2.2 Aldabra tortoises (Geochelone gigantea) at the Audubon Zoo. The benefits of target training and desensitizing Aldabra tortoises for voluntary blood collection and voluntary shifting them on and off-exhibit heavily outweigh the alternative methods of manual restraint and physical coercion. We were the first in the world to accomplish this. Not only do the Aldabra tortoises benefit from the training, but Audubon Zoo’s veterinary and keeper staff now have a more efficient, less stressful way to impact the husbandry and medical aspects of these giant, gentle creatures. Now zoos all over the world are using these techniques to manage their reptiles with respect and kindness.
You can read my published paper here.
You can view my presentation here.
Entering a Judgment-Free Zone: Guiding Clients and the Public Through Compassionate Education
2014 has come and gone. We are now entering into a brand New Year! As 2015 arrives, I find myself reflecting on 2014. One of the biggest goals that animal behavior consultants and many dog trainers were trying to reach in 2014 was simple but profound: Educate the masses so we can empower people and their pets, and teach animal guardians that there is often a better, safer, and more human way to interact with and care for our animal companions.
Throughout 2014, I was pleased to see many positive messages about pet safety in homes, dog bite prevention, companion animal awareness, and force-free training. Never before has this kind of education and awareness spread across the world this quickly, impacting millions of people, communities, and animal companions. But is there room to improve?
Go to page 50 to read the full article.)
_Full PDF of Barks from the Guild
Throughout 2014, I was pleased to see many positive messages about pet safety in homes, dog bite prevention, companion animal awareness, and force-free training. Never before has this kind of education and awareness spread across the world this quickly, impacting millions of people, communities, and animal companions. But is there room to improve?
Go to page 50 to read the full article.)
_Full PDF of Barks from the Guild
Stimulation for Psittacines! Transforming a Parrot’s Life in Captivity through Enrichment (article 1 of 4)
Physical and mental stimulation is vital to every species on the planet. Squid, poison dart frogs, pigs,rats, cats, tortoises,spiders, jaguars, sheep, dogs, ferrets, parrots, you name it, they all need daily stimulation. Enrichment is a fundamental component of responsible, preventative companion parrot care. But how can we ensure the parrots we care for are getting enough?
(Full article on pages 48-50.)
(see entire magazine online here.)
Putting Together the Parrot Puzzle Pieces: The Key to Successful, Species-Appropriate Enrichment for Captive Parrots (article 2 of 4)
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Breeds of dogs and cats are grouped under one genus and one species; Canis familiaris or Felis catus. Although a Maine coon looks very different from a Siamese, they are both the same species. Comparatively, there are hundreds of species of parrots. Some parrot species are even classified in a different genus. We might be able to make some generalizations about the nutritional, emotional and physical needs of dogs and cats because of their species, but we cannot generalize parrots. Each species of parrot has very specific dietary, emotional and physical need.
Learn more in the full article, Putting Together the Parrot Puzzle Pieces: The Key to Successful, Species-Appropriate Enrichment for Captive Parrots 
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The Power of Play: Thinking Outside the Cage
Parrots need to play every day. They may be living in an enclosure at your house or shelter but they still have innate behavioral needs that must be met. It is crucial to the physical and emotional health of every bird. Utilizing and encouraging play increases coordination and circulation, and provides a healthy and productive energy outlet. If we want to encourage natural behaviors such as flying, flapping, foraging, climbing, chewing, tearing, tossing, walking, hiding, holding, preening, searching and singing, we can do all of this through play. Read full article here.
(Pictured: Sarge the blue and gold macaw enjoying his daily walk about in a safe area under supervision).
(Pictured: Sarge the blue and gold macaw enjoying his daily walk about in a safe area under supervision).
Part Four of Parrot Enrichment Here.
Setting Up Military Families for Success (Part 1) : The Perfect Storm
Complicated doesn’t come close to describing the military family’s lifestyle. Most are animal lovers with the biggest hearts. They are some of the finest, bravest, dedicated, most amazing people I have ever known. While there are some common threads that are unique to the fabric of military life, many are the same sorts of things that “normal” people deal with: the need to deal with physical and emotional stress, being young parents, working with a limited or fixed budget, mom and dad both having to work, owning (perhaps multiple) pets that have been rescued, multiple children, and sometimes cavalier approach to dog training, and what is often a general lack of knowledge about dog (and cat) behavior and dog and child safety. Read full article here.
Setting Up Military Families for Success (Part 2): Beyond the Basics of Dog Training
Most young military parents-to-be may not believe they need to learn about safe parenting with pets. They don’t need help with their dog, because their dog is so good, and she loves kids! Plus, they have loved and known dogs their entire life! What else is there to know? Frankly, there’s a lot.
The danger lies in expecting parents not having a grasp on the reality of what’s really in store for them with a new baby and their animal menagerie. One of the key components to setting everyone up for success is empowering military parents with knowledge, awareness, and appropriate skills. This extends well beyond dog training and basic supervision of dogs and babies. The idea that you can “just let the dog sniff your baby’s blanket and everything will be fine once you bring your baby home!” and call yourself prepared couldn’t be further from the truth. Full article here
The danger lies in expecting parents not having a grasp on the reality of what’s really in store for them with a new baby and their animal menagerie. One of the key components to setting everyone up for success is empowering military parents with knowledge, awareness, and appropriate skills. This extends well beyond dog training and basic supervision of dogs and babies. The idea that you can “just let the dog sniff your baby’s blanket and everything will be fine once you bring your baby home!” and call yourself prepared couldn’t be further from the truth. Full article here
What’s In a Purr? The Healing Power of PURRS
"Why are our feline companions purring? Are they self soothing? Are they healing themselves? Are they asking for something? Are they sending “friend” signals to others?
Well, we have to consider the environment where the purr is happening. As their guardians, we must learn to “read the purr” in context. If we do this, we can better understand what our feline friends might be feeling or trying to communicate with us and with the other animals in their environment.
If you have lived with cats, loved a cat, or had the pleasure of petting a content cat, then you know how cool it is to hear and feel them purr. Most of us think that purrs happen when a cat is content, but cats actually purr at many other times as well.
Scientists have discovered that purring is a “natural healing mechanism”. They have discovered that wounded cats (wild and domestic) purr because it helps their bones and organs to heal. Fascinatingly, exposure to similar sound frequencies has been shown to improve bone density in humans! Scientists have also learned that cats release endorphins while purring. Endorphins are a natural analgesic that assists to reduce pain during the healing process." You can read my full paper here.
This is published in "What Is My Cat Saying", a powerful tool for anyone seeking to better understand cats and their body language.
Whisker Stress – Does Your Feline Companion Have It?
It’s called whisker stress. Many cats suffer from it daily, and yours may be one of them.
Domesticated cats that live and eat indoors don't have the luxury of eating their food anywhere they'd like. A feral cat can hunt down her prey, and consume it wherever she pleases. Circumstances are much different in a domestic environment where the human is in charge of when, where, and how the cat will eat. So how do a cat's whiskers play into all of this? Learn how here!
This is published in "What Is My Cat Saying", a powerful tool for anyone seeking to better understand cats and their body language.
Domesticated cats that live and eat indoors don't have the luxury of eating their food anywhere they'd like. A feral cat can hunt down her prey, and consume it wherever she pleases. Circumstances are much different in a domestic environment where the human is in charge of when, where, and how the cat will eat. So how do a cat's whiskers play into all of this? Learn how here!
This is published in "What Is My Cat Saying", a powerful tool for anyone seeking to better understand cats and their body language.
The Post-Release Success of Captive bred Louisiana Pine Snakes
The Louisiana pine snake is the rarest reptile in the United States, and the first and only SSP for a continental U.S. reptile. In this study, 19 captive bred and raised Louisiana pine snakes were surgically implanted with radio transmitters and released onto six sites on three patches of land in Louisiana, located in Kisatchie National Forest, Winn and Natchitoches Parishes, and International Paper land in Louisiana. The snakes were distributed evenly over fire-suppressed and regularly burned tracts of land and then monitored for 18 months. The snakes were relocated at four to six week intervals. Once found, fecal and cloacal samples were taken, and weight and lengths recorded. Through radio telemetry, we were able to collect data on home range, release site fidelity, and relative success rate of the Louisiana pine snake released onto the two types of managed land. Results are pending due to data still to be recovered from the field. Data so far has shown that at least five of the nineteen snakes have died in the field. Blood chemistry profiles show marked shifts in differential leukocyte composition and decreased serum protein. These data will enable us to determine optimum sites for releasing the most suitable captive-bred snakes. After this is established, a large-scale reintroduction program could begin to preserve this rare species.
You can read my full published paper here.
You can view my presentation here.
You can read my full published paper here.
You can view my presentation here.
Clicking with Dragons!
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What’s the first animal you trained? Was it a mammal or bird? Was it your dog, cat, rat, guinea pig, or parrot?
Mine was a reptile. In fact, it was a Dragon. You may be wondering why, and where on earth, I would train a Dragon. It’s not as crazy as you think. You can learn how to see lizards in a new light! (Full article here.) |
Is There a “Love Hormone” That Makes You Love Your Dog?
How much do you love your dog? Does your dog love you just as much?
We don’t have kids. We have a dog. And we love our dog. Saying “I love my dog” doesn’t come close to describing how I feel when I think about her. Just looking at her makes my heart swell. I feel good just being around her, and I know she feels good being around me. As it turns out, science has a hand in this love connection.
(Full article here.)
Why Do Cats Like Boxes?
Most cats will choose a box over their human’s lap, so why do cats like boxes so much?
The Solution To Cat Spraying
The science behind cat spraying and how to prevent it in your home.
How Your Kitten Learns
Understanding how your kitten learns will better help you train her.
How A Young Cat Learns
Understanding how a young cat learns will help you to better train and communicate with your feline family member.
How Adult Cats Learn
Understanding how your adult cat learns can help you communicate better with your feline companion, and that, in turn, will help you to better train her.
How Your Senior Cat Learns
You can teach your old cat new tricks. But first, you need to understand how senior cats learn.
Senior Struggles
How You Can Help Your Senior Cat Manage Litter Box Issues with Ease and Grace
Poop, Pee and Patience
Helping Your Kitten Get Back to Business in the Litter Box
Being a Conscious Companion
How Compromise Can Help with Litter Box Avoidance In Adolescence
Your Cat’s Not Mad at You.
How You Can Read the Cat Clues to Manage the Litter Box Blues in Adult Cats
Kitten Litter Box Issues Solved: The Short And Sweet Of It
A quick look at some problems and solutions for kitten litter box issue
