SCIENCE INTO PRACTICE: A CUTTING-EDGE ANIMAL TRAINING IMMERSION
Explore Emerging Advances in Science, Welfare and Real World Application
NEXT IMMERSION COMING SOON San Diego Area, CA
Animal training is an evolving journey. Challenges with aggression, fear, repetitive behaviors, or unmet desired training goals can highlight the constant need to expand our knowledge to enhance welfare.
This seminar moves beyond foundational concepts to share emerging information from behavioral science. Participants practice applying the concepts directly with mammals, birds, and reptiles in managed care across two world-class facilities, receiving personalized coaching and support throughout.
This immersive experience is ideal for professional animal caregivers, trainers, behavior consultants, and scientist-practitioners in zoos, sanctuaries, education programs, and wildlife facilities who are ready to refine their practice using evidence-based, constructional methods.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY
No other workshop teaches you how to take the latest advances in behavioral science and apply them directly in hands-on training.You’ll learn how to identify the outcomes animals seek, construct genuine choice, analyze complex contingencies, and apply both positive and negative reinforcement ethically and effectively during live training sessions.
Trusted Mentors
Led by internationally recognized scientist practitioners Barbara Heidenreich and Hillary Hankey, this immersion brings together decades of expertise in applied animal behavior, constructional principles, and multi-species training. Both instructors are known for their evidence-based teaching, practical problem-solving, and deep commitment to animal welfare.
MULTI-SPECIES PRACTICE
Train across two exceptional facilities: Avian Behavior Conservancy, where you’ll work hands-on with free-flying birds, farm species, and reptiles on 20 acres of natural terrain, and Wild Wonders, a licensed wildlife education center home to over 100 ambassador mammals and reptiles, many of them rescues.
THEORY MEETS PRACTICE WITH
HANDS-ON TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
CURRICULUM
Three Full Days of Science into Practice Immersion. Click the "Paw" to Learn More
Learn to identify what consequences maintain behavior through real-time observation and analysis.
Build multiple behaviors that contact the same reinforcer — the foundation of genuine choice.
Explore how contingency matrices influence behavior and use this information to build more effective training plans.
Learn how shaping with negative reinforcement can be used constructionally and ethically to build desired behaviors by giving animals what they want.
Participate in structured training sessions with live animals and personal coaching from Barbara and Hillary in which you will focus on applying the theory.
Engage in group analysis and case-based exercises using the Constructional Questionnaire for Animal Behavior Interventions.
Logistics: Lunch, beverages and plenty of snacks are provided throughout the day. Transportation to and from one of two hotels in Escondido (Best Western or Springhill Suites) is also included. If flying into San Diego, please plan to arrange for your own transport to and from the airport to your accommodations. A Lyft to either of these hotels can cost anywhere from $40-$70 depending on the time of day.
SPACE IS LIMITED.
NEXT IMMERSION COMING SOON!
Dates TBD