In continuation of celebrating 13 years in business, our next episode of Coffee with the Critters, we'll be discussing Data Collection.

People believe they understand behavior.

But very few people are measuring it.

If you’re not measuring behavior, you’re guessing.

When you evaluate behavior, are you collecting data?

Part Two to Lara’s throwback episode from 2023! Listen as Lara delves deeper into Positive Reinforcement.

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