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CONSULTING
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positive reinforcement training |
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AE specializes in the use of positive
reinforcement training techniques to improve
the care and welfare of captive animals.
Through training we gain the animals’
voluntary cooperation in husbandry behaviors
and medical procedures, enhance their social
behavior, and improve their physical and
psychological well-being. Since 1994, when
we introduced the concept of “behavioral
management”, we’ve fine-tuned our approach
by integrating positive reinforcement
training and environmental enrichment
techniques into a pro-active,
problem-solving approach to animal care that
has proven to be highly effective.
elephants
AE
designed and developed protected contact
(PC), a positive reinforcement based system
for managing elephants. PC has been
recognized by both the zoological and animal
welfare communities as being a safe,
effective, and humane method for managing
captive elephants. Since PC was unveiled
in1991, we have assisted many institutions
in the establishment of PC systems, in the
US and internationally. At present, over
half the zoos in the US have converted their
elephant programs to protected contact.
primates
AE
staff are leaders in the application of
positive reinforcement training techniques
to improve the care and welfare of
laboratory primates. Recognizing the unique
needs of these animals, we have helped
research centers, pharmaceutical companies,
and laboratories to improve the lives of
countless animals through training to reduce
stress and to gain the animals’ voluntary
cooperation in events ranging from daily
husbandry and veterinary treatments to
research procedures.
new - companion
animals
AE
offers consulting services for domestic and
companion animals. Now your dog, cat, bird,
horse, pig, chicken, rat, or iguana (have we
missed anything?) can receive the professional
attention of AE consultants. Applying the same
quality experience and expertise we are known
for in the exotic animal community, we provide
input and problem solving for a wide range of
behavioral issues with domestic species. With a
commitment to using only positive techniques,
you can be assured that behavioral problems will
be addressed with the dual purpose of improving
the care and welfare of your animal friend, and
the best possible experience for you. Contact us
for more information.
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site visits |
 Our behavior management programs begin with
a comprehensive site review. We tour the
facility, observe daily operations, and
interview staff relevant to the project. The
result is a confidential assessment of the
current situation and recommendations for a
course of action.
We train your staff to effectively implement
behavioral programs using a combination of
lectures and written materials, one-on-one
discussions, and direct work with staff and
animals. In addition, AE will assist
management in developing policies,
procedures, and record-keeping systems. Each
site visit is followed up with a
comprehensive report that summarizes the
visit, and provides detailed suggestions for
managers and animal care staff to keep
momentum and maximize progress.
It has been our experience that the most
successful programs are ones that have
multiple consultant site visits. Training is
a skill that requires significant time,
effort, and practice to develop. On-going
assessment of training activities, quick
input on problems encountered, and expert
assistance in developing staff training
skills produce better trainers, and results,
faster. With multi-visit contracts we
provide unlimited between-visit
consultations through email and telephone.
Multiple visits yield the quickest path
to an effective, self-sufficient behavioral
management program.
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on site
workshops |
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Our on-site Workshops bring behavioral
management consulting to your staff at your
facility. Workshops are normally 3 to 5 days
in length, or we’ll customize to suit your
needs. Each Workshop includes the following
components:
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1.
Facility assessment and goal setting (see
“site visits”) |
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2. Lectures |
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We have several
lectures to choose
from based on your
specific needs.
Lectures are
interactive and
appropriate for any
size group. The
starred lectures
below are
recommended for all
facilities.
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Introduction to
Behavioral
Management – general
talk ideal for
interested staff in
all departments. |
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Operant Conditioning
– in depth
discussion of terms
and techniques to
address common
management issues
such as daily
husbandry behaviors,
medical management,
and social
management; designed
for animal
management and
related staff
(curator, colony
manager,
veterinarian,
researcher,
investigator) |
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Problem Solving –
ideal for animal
management staff and
useful to general
staff |
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Behavioral
Management program
development and
implementation –
overview discussion
based on Behavioral
Management Notebook
provided with the
Workshop; for animal
management and related
staff |
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Environmental Enrichment
Overview – customized to
facility needs and
status of EE program |
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Social Management – in
depth program ideal for
facilities with primates
and other social
species, covering pair
and group housing,
introductions,
aggression, separation. |
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3. Practical instruction in the workplace |
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Time outside
lectures is spent in
one-on-one
discussions, work
directly with staff
and animals in
practical
instruction,
demonstration, and
oversight in the
work place. |
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4. Written materials |
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A Behavioral
Management Program
Notebook is provided
which includes
guiding principle,
program objectives,
methodology,
training and
enrichment
protocols, safety,
recordkeeping,
references and
resources.
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5. Follow-up site visits |
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Multiple visits
yield the quickest
path to an
effective,
self-sufficient
behavioral
management program.
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video, phone, e-mail consulting |
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Active Environments offers three consulting
options as either follow-up to site visits
or as alternatives to site visits : video
review, telephone, and email consultation.
These options are most useful with a
specific behavioral problem or when staff
has developed significant behavioral
management experience.
video
review
Video
review allows us to actually see a
presenting problem or training session in
the “real life” context of facilities,
staff, and other details that may be missed
in a verbal description. Following an
initial conversation to discuss the
situation, a video is sent to AE for review
and comment. We will provide a written
review of the video that includes an
assessment of the situation, critique of
current techniques, and detailed suggestions
for further action.
The client supplies video tapes and covers
shipping costs. We will review the video and
send a report within 5 -7 working days,
unless urgency necessitates a quicker
response. All videotapes remain the property
of the Client and will be handled in
strictest confidentiality.
telephone
Telephone consultation is suggested for
Clients with staff that have significant
behavioral management experience. We will
discuss and review the situation, and with
your staff, develop strategies to best meet
the objectives. A written summary of the
conversation will be provided within 5
working days.
email
Email
consultation services can provide an
on-going information exchange. A single
question or problem can be submitted, and
our staff will respond with an answer or
request for additional information within 5
working days. This exchange can be continued
until the problem is resolved. The email
communications provide the written record of
services provided.
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design consulting services |
Active Environments provides technical input
to the design, construction, and renovation
of animal facilities to ensure that the
broadest range of daily animal operations,
research, education, and presentation
activities are supported by these
facilities. We have worked directly with
architects, designers, zoos, aquariums, and
marine parks to provide technical input from
conceptual design to shake-down and
start-up, including but not limited to:
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Concepts and programming for animal
exhibits and
entertainment activities
• Facility design parameters
from animal care and operations
perspectives
• Functional
specifications
• Life support requirements
• Drawing review
• Animal population and staffing
requirements
• Permit requirements
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Scheduling
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educational presentations
and show development |
Good
presentations are one of the most effective ways
to convey an education or conservation message
and highlight a high standard of animal care and
welfare. With a well designed and implemented
presentation, whether it involves live animals
or not, you can touch people's hearts, and
motivate people to act. AE staff have many years
of experience writing, producing, and presenting
tasteful, educational, and entertaining shows,
demonstrations, and presentations to fit any
venue.
Facilities that aren’t open to the public may
find our services useful as well. Sanctuaries
and biomedical facilities that offer an open
house, tours, and VIP visits will benefit from a
well designed tour or presentation that
highlights the facility’s commitment to animal
care and welfare. If desired, training and
enrichment demonstrations can provide these
occasional visitors with a unique and memorable
experience.
Working with your institution's philosophy and
goals, AE staff combine enrichment, training,
theater arts, and educational elements to create
a variety of presentations to be proud of.
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operations support services |
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Active Environments can provide a team to assist
in the development of an entire animal
management operating system, including hiring
and training all staff and developing all
management systems including organizational
structure, job descriptions, operating policies
and procedures, budgets, and record keeping
systems. |
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