BEHAVIOR EDUCATION, STUDIES, AND TRAINING

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Hello! My interest and work are in animal care, training, and behavior. I am an animal trainer and behaviorist with an applied science degree in Zookeeping. 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. 


If you're interested, FULL BIO BELOW:

I retired from the Colorado Springs Police Department after 21 years of service in August of 2018. While with CSPD I worked in patrol and crime prevention, taught at the police training academy, and ran the community animal response team (CART). While coordinating the CART I received training from the American Humane, FEMA, and the State of Colorado in animal welfare, animal emergency preparedness, sheltering, and evacuation. I also received training in conducting animal abuse and neglect investigations becoming certified with the State of Colorado to investigate and enforce animal abuse and neglect. While working as a police officer and as the CART Coordinator, I worked part time as an animal trainer, animal caretaker, veterinary receptionist/assistant, horseback riding instructor, and self-defense instructor!
 

I am currently the director of Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary 501c3, a training consultant for West Liberty University's Zoo Science program, and the owner of Behavior Education LLC. I have worked with several species of animals over the years and currently work extensively with snakes, horses, and dogs. I am also doing some work with cats, pigs, and lizards. I do animal training, behavior research, private coaching and consults for individuals and organizations.

 

I have tried to get as much experience and education as I can in animal training and behavior over the last 30 years. This includes an applied science degree in Zoo Keeping Technology, certifications with the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT-KA), the University of Washington, and the Fear Free® Certified Animal Trainer, Veterinary, Equine programs. I completed the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Animal Training Applications in Zoos and Aquariums Course in 2019 at the Denver Zoo, the General and Professional Animal Welfare courses through San Diego Zoo Global Academy, Fundamentals of Animal Learning through San Diego Zoo Global, the Introduction to Enrichment course via San Diego Zoo Global, the 8-week Living and Learning with Animals course taught by Dr. Susan Friedman through Behavior Works, the 6-week Foundations in Snake Training course through Reptelligence, and the 8-week How Research Works course taught by Dr. Christina Alligood through Behavior Works. I regularly do continuing education (CE) courses through CCPDT, Smart Dog Training with Dr. Kristina Spaulding PhD., Karon Pryor Academy (KPA), Fear Free Pets, the Shelter Play Group Alliance, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Natural Encounters Inc. (NEI), Victoria Stillwell Academy (VSA), Animal Training Fundamentals with Barbara Heidenreich, and the Ethology Institute. I am working towards a bachelor’s degree in animal health and behavior and plan to continue to earn a master’s degree.


In addition to her daily work caring for and training animals, I work on snake behavior studies, snake training and enrichment trials, supervise interns from the local community college, and produce YouTube videos. I do some writing, for example, in 2019 one of my snake training articles was published in the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultant’s (IAABC) Journal and in 2020 the Herpetoculture Magazine published an extensive article on snake enrichment that I authored. I enjoy educating people about animal training, behavior, and welfare and have been interviewed on Morelia Python Radio, the Animals at Home Network, Herps Panel Forums, and the Reptile Gumbo Podcast.


My interests outside of animals include science fiction, martial arts, and hiking. My favorite science fiction series are Star Trek the Original Series, The Mandalorian, Stargate Atlantis, Doctor Who, and Babylon 5. My favorite domestic animal breeds are Arabian Horses, Collies, Norwegian Elkhounds, and Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs. My favorite wild animals are African Painted Dogs, pythons in general but especially Bredl's Pythons, and Przewalski's horses. I advocate for science and skepticism, evidence-based animal training and care, and I enjoy listening to podcasts and audiobooks. I really like The Skeptics Guide to the Universe, In Research Of, Monster Talk, Animals at Home, the Hidden Brain, Herpetological Highlights, and anything animal training or reptile related!


I keep busy coaching, filming video classes, lecturing, conducting workshops, training animals, teaching riding lessons, self-defense classes, and Refuse to Be A Victim seminars. I am working almost exclusively via remote services like Zoom or similar video conferencing options, as well as through email, messenger, and phone. I do conduct training on site at the Spirit Keeper Equine Sanctuary ranch and travel locally on a limited basis in the Colorado Springs area.


You can contact me through Facebook or Instagram Messenger, YouTube, the contact form on this website, via email at BehaviorEducationLLC@gmail.com, or by calling my office at (719) 478-0080.