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LORI TORRINI
Animal Trainer & Behaviorist, Educator, Animal Caretaker
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 Master of Practical Science Degree in Animal Science and Behavior with a specialization in equines. I am a credentialed animal trainer through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) and Fear Free Pets and hold additional Fear Free Certifications in Veterinary, Equine, and Shelters. I earned a certificate in Applied Animal Behavior from the University of Washington, graduated from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Animal Training Applications in Zoos and Aquariums Course, the Behavior Works Living and Learning with Animals Course, and am in the process of earning a doctoral degree in General Psychology with a specialization in cognition from Capella University. I am experienced and credentialed in Animal Emergency Response, Animal Emergency Management, Riding Instruction, and Veterinary Assisting.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Professor | Unity Environmental University
February 2025 – Present

  • Serve as an instructor teaching Animal Behavior, Training, and related courses for the online Animal Health and Behavior degree program.

  • Responsible for facilitating engagement in 5-week undergraduate-level courses related to animal care, behavior, and training.

  • Instruction is conducted asynchronously with an average of 20 students per course.

  • Communicate with students via timely feedback, engagement in Discussion Board tasks, and responsiveness to student emails.

 

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
Unity Environmental University, Unity, Maine | January 2024 – December 2024

  • Equine Track specialization.

  • 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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