Animal Behaviorist/Trainer

How would you ask a sea lion to open her mouth, so you can brush her teeth? You might be surprised, but the same ways we train people using psychology are also used to train animals! Trainers are behaviorists. They study the biology and ecology of animals in their care and psychology, as well, so they can encourage animals to learn new behaviors with positive reinforcement. For example, if your Mom gave you $5 every time you cleaned your room, you'd probably keep it really clean, right? That’s positive reinforcement, getting a reward for doing something well. Why train animals at all? Whether it’s a leopard gecko or a dolphin, training helps animals trust their caretakers. It lets them take part in their own health checkups without stress and makes things safer for both animals and people. Training also keeps animals' minds active, their bodies fit, and helps people connect with them. When people see how special animals are, they’re more likely to care about protecting them!