Coffee with the Critters

When you evaluate enrichment, what variables are you actually measuring?

After working with wolves, birds, primates, reptiles, and numerous species for the past two decades, one lesson continues to surface:

Not all enrichment improves welfare.

In this episode, Lara talks about when enrichment increases arousal instead of meaningful engagement.

Busy does not equal beneficial.

Intensity does not equal appropriate enrichment.

Overstimulation does not equal welfare.

In this two part throwback episode from 2023, Lara breaks down Positive Reinforcement.

This week, I am joined by Chrissy Pratt, President of Elephation, a non-profit focusing on compassionate, sustainable solutions to the multiple issues that affect captive elephants, the people who care for them, and the communities in which they live.

Building Strong, Trusting Relationships with Animals

Here's what we'll cover:

-Beginning to strengthen trust through training

-Understanding behavior

-Shaping trust through two-way learning

-Providing functional enrichment

Ready for some live training demonstrations? In this episode, I will be working with Noodle and showing beneficial training for everyday living with animals.

This week's topic: Scent-Oriented Foraging Enrichment

Here's what we'll cover:

• Designed from a behavioral perspective

• Designed from observation

• ​Examples

This week's topic: Time Management Q&A for Busy Animal Caretakers.

Here's what we'll cover:

• Tips for Time Management

• Implementation Examples I Use

Time Management Q&A for Busy Animal Caretakers

Here's what we'll cover:

• Reviewing the responses from the questionnaire

• Addressing feedback from last week's topic

• Taking your questions and giving feedback

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"Coffee with the Critters" airs every Sunday at 9:30 AM EST. This is a live-streamed event on The Animal Behavior Center's Facebook page.

Time Management for Busy Animal Caretakers

Here's what we'll cover:

• Identifying Obstacles

• Defining Goals & Mission

• Tips that put thoughts into action

The holidays are a time of chaos, but it doesn't have to be. Visitors teaching your animals to bite, bark, jump, eat junk food, etc. If your traveling for the holidays, how are you keeping your animals occupied while you are gone? Lara answers animal behavior, training, and enrichment questions.