Training for Life
Training for Life: Life stages, Innovation, Function and Enrichment. This two day event will combine theory and practical, working with a variety amazing species from Wildwood Trust
About the event:
Nicky Plaskitt a zoo consultant and certified zoo animal training professional (Shaping Behaviour) with over 20 years of experience, will be combining her knowledge and expertise with Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy (Zoo consultants, Veterinary Physiotherapists and University Lecturer), to bring you a new unique workshop based at the ground-breaking Wildwood Trust, home to a variety of historically native keystone species.
Nestled in 40 acres of enchanting woodland in the heart of Kent, Wildwood is home to over 200 fascinating British species. Their animals live in spacious, natural enclosures that mirror their habitats in the wild. Home to species such as Brown bears, wolves, bison, elk, badgers, arctic foxes, wild boar, deer, lynx, wildcat, owls, storks, and snakes. Here we hope to deliver a workshop that helps to demonstrate the link between behaviour and health, and how fundamental duties of a keeper such as training, enrichment, and environmental management are often overlooked in their importance both throughout life, to support life-long health and longevity.
Training for life will combine both theoretical teaching, demonstrations, and practicals to help cover such areas as:
- Life stages: The importance of behavioural and physiological changes throughout an animal’s life stages, and how this may influence learning, training and management decisions.
- Innovation: The importance of creativity and innovation within both environment and management, can help to positively influence our training, continual assessment, and management of welfare.
- Function: The importance of considering function in relation to our training goals, as well as the animal’s adaptation and physical health, and how that may cause us to reflect on how we influence behaviours and activity.
- Enrichment: How our goals with enrichment design should be influenced by not just increased activity, but species innate behaviours, individual behaviour, physical fitness and health
Reviews
Matthew and Nicky have a wealth of experience delivering specialist workshops and events for zoological collections across the world, here is an example of some of their feedback from their previous events:
Book your tickets today and reserve your space!
What is this workshop about?
Nicky Plaskitt of Shaping Behaviour and Matthew Shackleton of Shackleton Veterinary Physiotherapy are combining their experience to discuss both behavioural and physiological components for good health and welfare throughout the course of an animal’s life. With theoretical and practical components, this workshop is sure to enhance your knowledge of how to assess and monitor musculoskeletal health and use behavioural observations to identify potential issues.
Who are the speakers?
Who are the speakers?
Nicky Plaskitt is a certified professional animal and bird trainer through IATCB (International Animal Trainers Certification Board) with over 20 years experience working directly in zoos with a multitude of species. Shaping Behaviour is a Zoological Behaviour Consultancy working with facilities in the UK, Europe and beyond to improve animal welfare by empowering animal caregivers with the knowledge to manage behaviour in the most positive, least intrusive ways.
Matthew has a MSV in Veterinary Physiotherapy from Nottingham Vet School. Matthew has a background in zoo-keeping, teaching zoo health and veterinary sciences, and completed research into Komodo dragon locomotion with the support of major UK zoos and universities. He provides lameness and physiotherapy consultancy to major UK zoos, and has over a decades experience teaching the management and treatment of a wide range of species including, Zoo mammals, reptiles, bird. He also delivers accredited CPD for veterinary and zoo professionals, and is also a regular guest speaker at Universities and conferences. Matthew is currently an associate member of the British Veterinary Zoological Society, and clinical advisor for the Veterinary Osteoarthritis alliance.
Where is it?
The workshop is hosted by Wildwood Trust, Herne Bay in Kent, which has a unique variety of native wildlife, housed in natural habitats, including a large group of free range bison, recently introduced to the Blean forest. We will be observing and discussing training with the species housed at the trust.
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is aimed at professionals working with animals, in a zoo keeping/animal training or veterinary capacity. Animal caregivers from all fields work together to ensure the best welfare of the species in their care, and this workshop will give background knowledge as to WHY certain mobility exercises and assessments are important to monitor physical health, and HOW to teach the animals the behaviours needed to allow this using positive reinforcement training. Nicky and Matt will also be available to answer questions throughout the workshop.
What do I need?
Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for spending time outside in the great British weather since this workshop will have components outside in the elements. Please bring a reusable water bottle and coffee cup if required to help us be sustainable, and your own note taking devices.
What’s included?
Your ticket includes refreshments and lunches both days and all required materials for the workshop will be provided. All participants will receive a certificate at the end of the second day. Parking is available and free on site at Wildwood Trust.
Accommodation:
There are several hotels and B&Bs in the local area, none of which are affiliated with the workshop itself. Options can be found here: www.booking.com, www.travelodge.co.uk, or www.airbnb.com or by using your own preferred search engine.