ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy - Advanced

$1,100��USD

Program Details

The ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy Advanced is a 5-day fully involved workshop. You will learn advanced training techniques and have the opportunity to apply them as you assist professional marine mammal trainers.

Our highly experienced and qualified teaching staff will guide you through complex techniques and show you how to get effective results. Emphasis will be put toward husbandry training, the single most important aspect of professional animal care.

Program Benefits

  • Receive personalized small-group training
  • Practical application of advanced training techniques
  • Husbandry training
  • Enhance problem solving skills
  • Preventative aggression techniques

Program Includes

  • 5-day animal training course
  • Embedded with Dolphin Discovery training staff
  • Hands-on training experience
  • Interaction with a wide variety of animals
  • Exposure to alternative animal training related career
  • Behind the scenes access to Dolphin Discovery
  • Certificate

Prerequisite

Reviews from ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy - Advanced

"I wanted to take a moment to thank you so so much for offering your courses. I learned a ton and it was amazing to get to spend the time with you and to get my first bridge. I grew as a person so much during both weeks at ABC. I learned a lot about myself personally and professionally. I think the course was great because it taught us a lot about operant conditioning, but also about the true lifestyle of a marine mammal trainer... and educated us on the importance of professionalism in and out of the water. The teamwork segment was a huge bonus."
- Erin McLoughlin

"When my colleague told me about the ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy at Dolphin Discovery it didn't take much thinking for me to decide that I would participate. And I'm very glad I did! It was an amazing week with truly dedicated people and wonderful animals. I learned a lot both in class and in the water. Thank you very much to each and every one involved!"
- Silke Plagmann

"I have to thank you for being an absolute amazing mentor. The week I spent with you in Isla was unforgettable. You are an amazing teacher, and thank you for being so patient. It allowed me to refresh my training skills, and clarify so many terms I did not understand ... It is so awesome to be surrounded by people who are actual compassionate animal people. Thank you for reminding me who I am and the animals I truly love and want to work with. My appreciation towards you is immeasurable!"
- Cara Davis

Videos

Instructors

Shelley Wood

Shelley has been training dolphin, sea lions, and other animals since 1990. In 1994 she moved to Cancun Mexico where she played an intricate role in the development and opening of Dolphin Discovery. Her career with Dolphin Discovery has seen Shelley evolve from hands on animal trainer to her current position as Corporate Trainer Educator (CTE) for all Dolphin Discovery facilities. As CTE she is responsible for the development of curricula, courses, and guidelines used in Dolphin Discovery's continuing trainer education program.

Shelley is also owner of ABC Training Systems a company dedicated to producing educational material about the humane training of animals. She is the author of ABC of Animal Training.

In 1986 Shelley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Shelley is currently serving on the board of directors of the International Marine Animal Trainers Association (IMATA) as Secretary.


Terry Samansky

Terry has worked with dolphins, whales, seals, sea lions and walruses since 1979. Upon receiving his Bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, he began his professional career at Marineland of California. Eight years later he went on to Marine World Africa USA, which is now Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. In 2001 he left Six Flags to start his own consulting company and launch the popular website DolphinTrainer.com.

Over the years Terry has held positions as a marine mammal keeper, rehabilitation specialist, trainer, curator and director, and has worked at facilities in the United States, Japan and South America. As a member of several top management teams, Terry has had the opportunity to interview, hire and train numerous successful candidates for a wide variety of marine mammal positions. This experience, and his desire to help aspiring marine mammal professionals, motivated him to write and publish the popular book "Starting Your Career as a Marine Mammal Trainer."

Terry has also written and co-authored numerous papers and publications for professional organizations such as IMATA and IAAAM. He is currently the owner/editor of DolphinTrainer.com, and especially enjoys sharing his knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for marine mammal biology, care and training though live interactive classes and workshops.


Kathleen Echevarria

Kathleen has 16 years of animal training experience with a wide variety of animals. Her early career years were spent training dolphins for the Navy marine mammal program and for the Dolphin Experience on Grand Bahama Island. It was after training the dolphins for the movie, "Zeus and Roxanne" that she was hired by Birds and Animals, Unlimited. She spent several years as a Senior Trainer at the Animal Show at Universal Studios and today continues to work as an independent Studio Production Animal Trainer for Birds and Animals, Unlimited.


Tim Sullivan

Tim has been employed by the Chicago Zoological Society at Brookfield Zoo for the last 28 years. He spent 16 years as a keeper in the marine mammal department training and caring for the Zoo's dolphins, walrus, sea lions and seals. In 1997, Tim was asked to develop an elephant protected-contact behavior management program in the Pachyderm department. In 1998, he was offered his present position as the Zoo's Curator of Behavioral Husbandry. Tim's primary responsibility is to manage the animal training and environmental enrichment components of the Zoo's Behavioral Husbandry Program. Tim oversees the behavior of the Zoo's large and diverse animal collection—from aardvarks to zebras and is responsible for developing the skills of over 100 animal keepers on staff.

Tim consults on animal training at a variety of other zoological institutions and with domestic animals. He is active in international training organizations and has been an officer on the board of directors of both the International Marine Animal Trainers Association and the Animal Behavior Management Alliance; an organization he co-founded.


Dr. Roberto Sanchez

Dr. Roberto Sanchez is currently the Corporate Vice-President of Veterinary Medicine for Dolphin Discovery. He has specialized in marine mammal medicine for over 20 years and has extensive small animals and equine experience. Dr. Sanchez oversees the management of preventive medicine programs, clinical cases, reproductive programs, and general husbandry practices for more than 100 dolphins, sea lions and manatees at all Dolphin Discovery’s facilities. He is also responsible for the management and training of the veterinarian staff at all locations as well.

Dr. Sanchez provides veterinarian consultation for several zoos and aquariums including Delfiniti in Ixtapa Mexico, the Bejing Aquarium in China and Adaland Park in Turkey, the Colegio de la Frontera Sur, and with stranding networks in Mexico and the Caribbean. He has also worked extensively on manatee conservation for the Belize Government. Dr. Sanchez has been a guest instructor for Marvet since 2008.

Dr. Sanchez is a member of Veterinarian Medicine Committee of SOMMEMA and Technical Consultant for the Population Management of Manatees and Bottlenose dolphins in Mexico. He has presented technical papers at the Mexican Society of Zoology, the Aquariums of the Mexican Republic, International Marine Animal Trainers� Association and the Internacional Aquatic Animals Medicine Association. He graduated with a degree in Veterinarian medicine in 1988 from the Universidad Aut�noma Metropolitana Unidad Xochimilco, in Mexico City, Mexico.

Schedule & Costs for 2013

Date: 5 to 9 June and 1 to 5 September

Workshop registration deadline February 15, 2013 for June class and June 1, 2013 for September class

Location

ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy Advanced is hosted by Dolphin Discovery Puerto Aventuras in the Riviera Maya.

Payment Information

USA residents: please continue online payment.
Non-USA residents: please contact [email protected] for bank transfer information.

Hotel Recommendations

Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa An upscale All-inclusive resort located 10 minute walking distance from Dolphin Discovery.
Double occupancy is $82.95 per person and $105.00 single occupancy for June workshops and $77.70 per night and $99.75 for September workshop. These are special group rates. Please contact the hotel directly to make reservations using the code DOLPHIN by email:[email protected]; Fax: 011 52 984 8735210 .


Reservations made after the deadline will have to pay regular pricing.

Airport

Cancun International Airport: many transportation companies are available to take you to your hotel. Reservations may be made upon arrival at the airport. Transportation is not included.

International Travel

Please remember to have a valid passport. You will de denied entry if you do not have a passport.

More Information

For more information about this exciting training experience, contact Shelley Wood at [email protected]. Unlock the power with ABC Dolphin Trainer Academy!

Refund/Cancellation policy

Complete refund, minus processing fees, for cancellation requests more than one month prior to Academy start date. No refund or cancellations less than one month prior to Academy start date.

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