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LORI TORRINI
Animal Trainer & Behaviorist
Email: BehaviorEducationLLC@gmail.com 

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I am an animal trainer, behaviorist, and keeper with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Zoo Keeping, a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Health and Behavior, and a pending Master of Practical Science Degree in Animal Science and Behavior. I am a credentialed animal trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Fear Free Pets. I earned my certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington. I am also experienced and credentialed in Animal Emergency Response, Animal Emergency Management, Riding Instruction, and Veterinary Assisting.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Owner | Behavior Education LLC
August 2018 – Present

  • Serve as an animal trainer, behaviorist, and caretaker across species including domestic, exotic, and livestock.

  • Specialize in working with exotic animals such as snakes, guinea pigs, and other small mammals, companion animals like dogs and cats, and horses.

  • Provide educational content, coaching, and behavior consultations via social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Patreon.

  • Engage in animal behavior research, deliver lectures and seminars on animal training, behavior science, and welfare.

  • Facilitate private and group coaching in animal training and behavior; consult with individuals seeking to choose an animal family member via video conferencing and in-person for local clients.

 

Director of Operations & Behavioral Husbandry | Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary
January 2014 – Present

  • Oversee business operations and manage the care and training of animals at Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary.

  • Specialize in the care of special needs animals at risk of neglect or euthanasia.

  • Focus on long-term management of physical, medical, and behavioral issues.

 

Police Officer | Colorado Springs Police Department
July 1998 – August 2018

  • Served in various roles, including patrol officer, crime prevention officer, community animal response team coordinator, ICS safety officer, and training academy instructor.

  • Coordinated animal emergency response efforts and provided peer support for fellow officers.

  • Conducted training and crisis intervention team facilitation.

 

Veterinary Assistant & Receptionist | Animal Medical Services
January 1999 – March 2020

  • Performed veterinary assistant duties such as filing, billing, customer care, triage, administering medications, and assisting with lab work, radiographs, and surgery.

 

Riding Instructor | Deseos Arabians & Miniatures
January 1993 – January 2014

  • Provided riding instruction and horse training services.

  • Managed client payments, lesson schedules, and curriculums.

  • Certified through the Certified Horsemanship Association in Level 1 Western riding and up to Level 4 English riding.

 

EDUCATION

Master of Practical Science in Animal Science and Behavior (Pending)
Unity Environmental University, Unity, Maine | January 2024 – December 2024

  • Focus on equine cooperative care; snake behavior, training, and low-stress management techniques; and maternal care research in Simalia amethistina.

 

Bachelor of Science in Animal Health and Behavior
Unity Environmental University, Unity, Maine | July 2021 – November 2023

  • Published papers on snake behavior, training, and conservation during course of study.

  • Focus on zoo animals, reptiles, horses, dogs, and cats.

 

Associate of Applied Science in Zoo Keeping
Pikes Peak State College, Colorado Springs, CO | August 2017 – August 2019

  • Coursework in herpetology, animal training, zoo management, and safety protocols.

Certificate in Applied Animal Behavior

 

University of Washington | June 2020 – June 2021

  • Emphasis on behavior modification for domestic and zoo animals.

 

CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Animal Behavior and Welfare – University of Edinburgh | November 2016

  • Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings – Association of Zoos and Aquariums | September 2019

  • Animal Welfare Professional – The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy | September 2019

  • Living and Learning with Animals – Behavior Works | March 2020

  • Fear Free Certifications – Trainer, Veterinary, Equine, Shelter | September 2020 - August 2021

  • How Research Works – Behavior Works | August 2021

  • Animal Shelter Behavior Management – University of Pacific | November 2021

  • Unlocking Resiliency – Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior | March 2023

 

KEY SKILLS

  • Client consulting, animal behavior research, and lecturing.

  • Animal care and training across species: exotics, livestock, and domestic animals.

  • Specialized in low-stress management, cooperative care training, and welfare.

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

  • 2024 Excellence in Journalism Award
    American Association of Zoo Keepers | September 2024

  • Years of Service Proclamation
    Colorado Springs Police Department | August 2018

  • Department Commendation
    Colorado Springs Police Department | June 2012

 

PUBLISHED WORKS

  • Torrini, L. (2024). Use of a Prolonged Targeting Behavior to Position a Snake’s Body Length in a Specific Position. Journal of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, 51(1), 348-353.

  • Torrini, L. (2024). Activity Budget for a Group of Morelia bredli Observed Under Captive Management: Time Observed Terrestrially versus Arboreally. Journal of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, 50(11), 292-297.

  • Torrini, L. (2023). Enrichment for snakes and other reptiles [Webinar]. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Foundation. https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/enrichment-for-snakes-and-other-reptiles/

  • Williams, M. L., Torrini, L. A., Nolan, E. J., & Loughman, Z. J. (2022). Using Classical and Operant Conditioning to Train a Shifting Behavior in Juvenile False Water Cobras (Hydrodynastes gigas). Animals, 12(10), 1229.

  • Torrini, L. (2022). Potential Neural Consequences for Snakes Under Captive Management. The IAABC Foundation Journal, 23.

  • Torrini, L. (2022). Enrichment for Snakes (And Other Reptiles). The IAABC Foundation Journal, 24.

  • Torrini, L. (2022). Use of a Prolonged Targeting Behavior to Position a Snake’s Body Length in a Specific Position. Animal Behavior Management Alliance Conference Proceedings.

  • Torrini, L. (2019). Teaching Snakes to Voluntarily Relocate. IAABC Foundation Journal, 12.

 

AFFILIATIONS

  • American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)

  • Arabian Horse Association (AHA)

  • Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV)

  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

  • Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)

  • Fear Free Pets

  • International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)

  • International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations (IAHAIO)

  • Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA)

  • Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior

  • Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)

 

VOLUNTEERING

  • Spirit Keeper Animal Sanctuary - Director of Behavioral Husbandry | January 2014 - Present

  • Paws to Read – Pikes Peak Library District | January 2018 - December 2018

  • Board Member & Trainer – Ruby Ranch Horse Rescue | July 2009 - January 2014

 

LANGUAGES

  • English (Fluent)

  • Spanish (Intermediate)

  • German (Basic)

 

INTERESTS

  • Animals, behavior, training, psychology, nature, herpetology, science, hiking, martial arts, teaching, science fiction.

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